National Telemarketing Victim Call Center

Preventing Consumer Fraud

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National Telemarketing Victim Call Center - 855-322-9218 (Toll Free)


Prevention Tips:

Here are some key strategies you can use when you get a solicitation for a prize or investment offering:

End the Conversation and practice saying "NO".  Simply tell the person, "I am sorry, I am not interested.  Thank you."  Or tell them you never make decisions without first consulting my _____ .  Fill in the blank with whomever you choose - your spouse, child, attorney or investment professional.  Don't let other's take advantage of you just because you have good manners.  When in doubt about a sales call or personal visit, just say NO!

Turn the Tables and ASK Questions.  Ask questions and be sure you understand all terms and conditions.  For investment opportunities, remember a legitimate investment professional must by properly licensed, and his or her firm must be registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a state securities regulator- depending on the type of business the firm conducts.  In addition, with very few exceptions, companies must register their securities with the SEC before they can sell shares to the public.  So before you give out information about yourself, ASK about the registration.

Check:  Make sure the people and firms who make money from your investments have proper credentials.  Verify the answers by checking the seller's background.

A broker or firm:  FINRA BrokerCheck -
www.finra.org/brokercheck or 800-289-9999

An Investment adviser:  SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Database - www.adviserinfo.sec.gov

Any investment seller:  North American Securities Administrators Association - www.nasaa.org

An insurance agent:  State Insurance Commission - National Association of Insurance Commissioners - www.naic.org


Other Resources

National Do Not Call Registry, visit www.DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222


The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them.  To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll free
1-877-382-4357.  The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies.

Help for identity theft victims to resolve financial and other problems and file complaints, visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft or call 1-888-382-1222

To Opt Out of Credit Card Offers:  To remove your name from lists used by creditors and insurers to make offers of credit or insurance, visit https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t or call 1-888-567-8688


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