NCJ Number
161332
Date Published
1995
Length
361 pages
Annotation
This book is designed to help readers better understand and protect themselves from telemarketing rip-offs.
Abstract
Part one outlines the dimensions of this massive fraud, identifying some of the people behind the phone rooms, along with the devices they rely on to ply their trade. Those who perpetrate fraud and deception over the phone are to be distinguished from telemarketers who are attempting to sell legitimate products and services at a reasonable price. The telemarketers profiled in this book peddle products no sensible person would buy if the item could be viewed, either because the prices charged are grossly inflated or the quality of the articles is shoddy. The unscrupulous telemarketers lie to their potential victims or omit significant details about what they are offering. Some harass their victims, calling dozens of times in a week or threatening the elderly unless they agree to buy. Court cases show that some of the telemarketing offenders have gone so far as to threaten physical harm to the families of customers who spurn their offers. The author profiles actual perpetrators and victims of telemarketing fraud. Part two describes how con artists use the phones and other tools to sell a seemingly endless array of bogus products. The author explains how potential victims can protect themselves from various types of telemarketing scams. Part three investigates why illicit telemarketing remains a menace despite years of efforts to eliminate it. The author exposes legal loopholes and other flaws in the justice system that serve to help the fraudulent telemarketers stay a few steps ahead of the police or other regulators. He argues that fraudulent telemarketing persists largely because the perpetrators face light penalties and small civil fines when caught. Nothing short of lengthy prison sentences is likely to deter these criminals. Appended profiles of 35 scams, a sample sales pitch, common customer objections and telemarketer replies, and a list of State law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over telemarketing fraud, along with a subject index