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April 2006 The World News® 7Community News & Update Continued from Page 1leading consumer protection agency. TheDepartment actively investigates telemarketingfraud and works to protect consumersby public education and consumer outreach.As with most scams, the best protectionagainst telemarketing fraud is publicawareness. The more people know abouttelemarketing fraud, the less likely they willfall victim to this faceless crime.Unfortunately, fraudulent telemarketersare hard to track down. Most are “flyby-night”operators working out of “boilerrooms” — leased space with rooms full oftelephones staffed by trained scam artists.Once under investigation, they can easilyshut down and move —virtually overnight— to another town or state. They usuallychange their name to cover their tracks.Con artists are industrious and continuallydevelop new ways to separate consumersfrom their money — in the form of cash,credit card, check or electronic debit froma bank account.Early forms of telemarketing fraud involvedcon artists obtaining a consumercredit card account number over the telephoneand making unauthorized chargesagainst it.In a newer twist on this scam, con artistsobtain the consumer’s checking accountnumber and electronically debit the accountwith unauthorized or inflated charges usinga demand draft (a check that is generated bythe merchant). A fraudulent demand draftis made by generating a check and imprintingit with the consumer’s name, address,phone number and, most importantly, theaccount number and the numbers necessaryto route the draft through the bank’scheck clearing system. The fraudulent checkis then deposited the same as any conventionalcheck and, in most cases, it clearsin exactly the same way as a conventionalcheck; the lack of a handwritten signatureis not a problem in processing it.The Department warns consumers not togive out bank account, credit card or personalinformation (date of birth, mother’smaiden name, Social Security Number, etc.)over the telephone, unless it is to a trustedsource.Before doing business with any telemarketer,find out if any complaints havebeen filed against the company by callingthe Florida Department of Agriculture andConsumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). You may call the same number to obtaininformation on how to file a complaintor to subscribe to the Florida Do Not CallList.It’s tempting to believe that fraud onlyhappens to someone else — someone lesseducated, less sophisticated, less financiallyastute. But, victims belong to all socialand economic classes and age groups. Infact, 92 percent of adult Americans are affected.Swindlers also infiltrate social clubs, ethnicorganizations and places of worship, totarget victims more effectively.Profile of a con artist: The heart of thetelemarketing operation is a room filledwith desks, telephones and sales peoplewho call hundreds of prospective customersall over the country. Most are assertiveand highly skilled in conversational patter.Sales people use persuasive sales pitches,weaving together facts and half-truths.They deceive the prospective customer intoBy Kenneth ColenPublisherbelieving that financial gains will be great,with very little risk.Con artists may be reluctant to send literatureby mail; however, keep in mind thatitems that are sent may not necessarily belegitimate. They pressure the prospectivecustomer to act quickly — usually immediatelyand over the phone.Allowing the customer time to thinkgives the potential victim a chance to becomesuspicious, check out the scheme orback out of the deal. As a result, telephonefraud usually involves urgency and includesphrases such as:“This opportunity is being offered toonly a few investors.”“Prices will rise in the next few days, soact now.”“Large profits are guaranteed.”“Low risk or risk free. You can’t lose.”“Insured against loss.”“Government guaranteed.”“Refundable, money-back guarantee.”Remember, think before you act. Don’tallow yourself to be pressured into somethingyou are unsure of.Ten Tip-off signs1. High pressure sales tactics.2. Insists on an immediate decision.3. The offer sounds too good to be true.4. A request for your credit card numberfor any purpose.5. They offer to send someone to yourhome or office to pick up the money, orsuggest methods of overnight mail to getyour funds quickly.6. A statement that something is “free”followed by a requirement that you pay forsomething.7. An investment that is without risk.8. Unwillingness to provide written informationor references. Legitimate telemarketersanswer questions, provide writtenmaterial to back up their claims and givethe consumer ample time to decide.9. A suggestion that you should buy orinvest on the basis of trust.10. You have been selected because of(“insert flattering reason here”) e.g., youroutstanding credit, you have been a generoussupporter in the past, etc.Ten ways to avoid becoming a victim1. Allow yourself time to decide.2. Require written information by mailabout the product, service, investment orcharity. Additionally, ask for written informationabout the organization.3. Make certain you fully understand theinvestment before purchasing. Do the math.For example, if you are offered your choiceof six magazines for only 15 cents an issueper day, that multiplies out to $1,620 for afive-year subscription and may far exceedeven the newsstand cover price!4. Investigate which state and federalagencies regulate this firm and which agenciesrequire the telemarketer to be registered.5. Check the background of a company ororganization before any purchase is made.6. If investing or making a major purchase,request information also be sent toyour accountant, financial advisor, bankeror attorney for evaluation.7. Ask what recourse you have if you buyand are not satisfied.8. Beware of testimonials that you haveno way of verifying.9. Don’t provide any personal or financialinformation over the phone, unless it isto a trusted source.10. If necessary, HANG UP!PROTECTION FROM UNWANTED CALLS: TheFlorida Department of Agriculture and ConsumerServices maintains the Florida “DoNot Call List.” Florida residents, who do notwish to receive sales calls, may have theirresidential, mobile/paging device, telephonenumber(s) included on this list for asmall annual fee.The cost of having your telephone numberlisted is $10 per number for the firstyear. A renewal fee of $5 per year, per numberis required to keep your number on thelist. Annual notices are mailed to remindyou to renew your subscription.The Florida Do Not Call Law offers protectionfor consumers who do not wish toreceive telephone sales solicitation calls athome. Furthermore, the law requires solicitorsto identify themselves by true first andlast name and by the name of the businesson whose behalf they are calling.Most telephone solicitation firms areprohibited from calling any phone numberon the list. The list is updated quarterly andpublished on the first business day of January,April, July and October.Pre-recorded sales messages (a sales callmade with a pre-recorded message andwithout a real or “live” person to introducethat message) are prohibited in Florida.Pre-recorded messages frequently instructyou to remain on the line for a live operator,if you are interested. If you receive apre-recorded sales message, it is a prohibitedsolicitation message. Please contactthe Florida Department of Agriculture andConsumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or file a complaint electronically.EXEMPTIONS TO THE FLORIDA LAW: Sometelephone sales calls are exempt from theprovisions of the Do Not Call Law. Solicitorsmay make calls:• In response to an express request bythe person called;• In reference to an existing debt, contract,payment or performance;• To any person with whom the telephonesolicitor has a prior existing business relationship.These companies include: debtcollectionefforts and phone contracts;• About the newspaper business, includingnewspaper publishers, agents or employees;or• For solicitation of charitable contributions.• Calls placed by a licensed real estatesalesman or broker in response to a “ForSale” sign or similar advertisement placedby a consumer in their yard.lIF YOU ARE ON THE LIST AND RECEIVE ASOLICITATION CALL: If you are currently onthe Florida Do Not Call List and receive asales solicitation call that does not meetthe exemptions outlined above, or a prerecordedmessage, immediately report it tothe Florida Department of Agriculture andConsumer Services by either calling 1-800HELP-FLA (435-7352), or filing a complaintelectronically.The Florida Department of Agricultureand Consumer Services has the authority tocontact the solicitation firm, inform themof the requirements of the law and requirethem to comply.The Department will warn the offenderonce through informal mediation. If the offenderdoes not comply, the law providesfor civil penalties of up to $10,000 perviolation and injunctive relief through thecourts.Florida Do Not Call ListTo subscribe to the Florida Do Not CallList, please contact the Florida Departmentof Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or download asubscription form.” Jeffrey Dee Fleigel, M.D., F.A.C.S.Suzanne S. Fleigel, M.D.Board Certified American Academy of Otolaryngology■ Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery■ Allergy Blood Tests Available■ Removal of Facial Spots■ Facial Plastic SurgeryBlue Cross & Blue Shield ProvidersMedicare Participating1400 South Magnolia, Ocala, FL 34471732-8171By AppointmentDR. HARTER&ASSOCIATES