Telemarketing fraud is one method that con artists use to try to separate New Yorkers from their cash. Telemarketing fraud, like other white-collar crimes, is a non-violent scheme to trick victims out of money or property.
After being found guilty of telemarketing fraud, an offender could face jail time or hefty fines.
Discuss your situation with a criminal defense attorney in Syracuse.
How does telemarketing fraud typically manifest itself?
During fraudulent telemarketing calls, a service or product is offered over the phone in exchange for payment. One common tactic is to call a potential victim and pretend to offer them a great new job.
The candidate must send a payment to the company before they will be considered for the position. However, when the interested party attempts to pursue the position further, they discover that the company has mysteriously vanished.
The con artist could also trick the victim into thinking they have won a free prize or are eligible for some other kind of special deal. If the victim wants to participate in the scam, he or she must send money to the con artist.
The fraudster may ask the victim to provide financial information over the phone, such as a credit card number, or instruct them to send funds directly. If they want payment, they may even suggest mailing a check.
If the target questions the phony telemarketer, the fraudster may try to scare them into taking the bait by claiming they have to take immediate action without checking references.
They may even provide the person with a fictitious identity, complete with a made-up name, address, and contact information for a fictitious business. If they come across as trustworthy, the recipient may drop their guard and send them money. It’s too late by the time they realize they’ve been scammed.
Scammers may succeed in fooling people some of the time, but that doesn’t mean they always do. Every year, hundreds of people are taken into custody on suspicion of telemarketing fraud. An experienced criminal defense attorney should be sought out immediately following allegations of telemarketing fraud.
How to avoid telemarketing rip-offs
Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to telemarketing scams:
–Never give out personal information over the phone – Scammers often try to extract personal information like your social security number, credit card details, or bank account information. Never give out any personal information over the phone, especially if you did not initiate the call.
–Beware of unsolicited offers – If you receive a call offering a product or service you did not request or have no interest in, be suspicious. It is likely a scam.
–Don’t be pressured – Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to get you to make a decision quickly. Don’t fall for this. Take your time and do your research before making any decisions.
–Verify the caller’s identity – If someone claims to be calling from a reputable company, verify their identity. Look up the company’s phone number online and call them back to confirm that the person who called you is a legitimate representative.
–Hang up – If you suspect that a caller is a scammer, hang up. Don’t engage with them or try to argue. Simply hang up and report the call to the appropriate authorities.
Is there any way to refute accusations of fraud?
There are some people who commit fraud by accident and have no idea what they are doing. Others still lie because their superiors have told them to. A lawyer may be able to persuade the judge that his or her client was in over their head.
