National > Abuse of Older Adults > Consumer Fraud:My aunt was excited because she got a phone call telling her she had won a car. In order to collect it, she had to pay some kind of a gift fee. She paid the fee but never received the car. What can I tell her to do in the future so she does not get caught by another scam?Under federal law, all telemarketers must state at the beginning of a call why they are calling, the name of the company or person they are representing, and the type of product or business being promoted. If your aunt does not get this information when she asks for it or she is suspicious, she should hang up the phone. She should never pay any fee of any kind in order to recover a prize, or give out her credit card details. The Competition Bureau investigates complaints of telemarketing fraud and will prosecute offenders. You can report a suspected crime of this nature by calling 1-800-348-5358. There is also an agency called PhoneBusters to help people victimized by telemarketing fraud. There is a service within PhoneBusters specifically for seniors. PhoneBusters can be reached at 1-888-495-8501. In your aunt's province, there is likely also consumer legislation that allows for the reporting and investigating of such incidents. Her provincial government office will be able to tell you what options exist.
January 2006 |
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