NCJ Number
75079
Date Published
1976
Length
61 pages
Annotation
Frauds and deceptions, prevention, and legal assistance alternatives are described in this handbook for professionals developing consumer education programs for older persons.
Abstract
The handbook is structured as a training manual for workshop leaders and includes modules composed of reproducible user guide sections and media presentations consisting of slide packets and cassette tapes. Types of frauds and deceptions covered include land sale frauds, medical quackery, door to door sales deceptions, pyramid promotions, mail order fraud, dance lesson and health spa schemes, and hearing aid deceptions. The bank examiner scheme (where consumers are manipulated into withdrawing money from bank accounts as part of a false investigation), the pigeon drop scheme (a false lost and found ploy), and the phony official investigator scheme (a ploy used by thieves to gain entrance to homes) are also described. Each section includes descriptions of specific fraud and deception tactics, examples of these tactics in action, tips for preventing victimization, and strategies for achieving redress. To avoid fraud, consumers should take time to check on the reputations of business or the identities of officials or service persons, go comparison shopping, read contracts before signing them, avoid bargains which are too good to be true, and never sign blank contracts. In seeking redress, consumers should first give the dealer an opportunity to explain or rectify the problem. If no solution can be reached, the Better Business Bureau, the local police, and other law enforcement officials can be contacted for assistance. If mail fraud has been involved, the postal authorities can recommend prosecution but have no jurisdiction to recover consumer losses. Detailed plans for presenting the modules either in a single section or as a two-section training program are included. A reference list includes 7 books and 12 articles. The names and addresses of Federal, State, and private agencies providing consumer problem information are given. The addresses of Virginia area agencies on aging are also included. A sample user guide for use in a local program and a module evaluation form are provided.