The Federal Trade Commission is quick to teach us that anyone can be a
potential target to fraud and that the crime “isn’t limited
to race, ethnic background, gender, age, education, or income.”
Although, it is important to know that certain scams seem to concentrate
towards specific groups and can travel through mail, email, or via the
telephone. Measures are currently in place in Indiana to help prevent
you from becoming a victim of telephone fraud.

SIGN UP FOR INDIANA’S DO NOT CALL LIST

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill recently announced that residents
have until February 21st to register information on the state’s
“Do Not Call” list. This step will help avoid calls from telemarketers
and potential criminals trying to scam Hoosiers beginning April 1. Placing
your number on this list won’t stop all unsolicited calls, but it
will stop most and reduce your risk of phone fraud.

In a press release distributed by Attorney General Hill he says, “One
of the main reasons the telephone privacy campaign was launched is due
to phone scams. The Office of the Indiana Attorney General Consumer Protection
Division has had a lot of complaints filed that an unknown number contacted
them requesting money and personal information, claiming to be a law enforcement
officer or an Internal Revenue Service Agent. Hoosiers have fallen for
the scammers and ended up compromising their personal identity.”

HOW PHONE SCAMS LEAD TO FRAUD

Phone scammers can be quick to fool you. They don’t really give you
the opportunity to think before you react and before you know it, you
have said, “Yes!” Here are several warning flags the Federal
Trade Commission has identified to help you spot scams that often come
over the telephone. If a caller reaches you and uses these lines, just
simply hang up, and file a complaint with the FTC:

  • You’ve been specially selected (for this offer).
  • You’ll get a free bonus if you buy our product.
  • You’ve won one of five valuable prizes.
  • You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery.
  • This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get
    anywhere else.
  • You have to make up your mind right away.
  • You trust me, right?
  • You don’t need to check our company with anyone.
  • We’ll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card.

If you do receive a call from someone you do not know and decide to talk
to them, do not ever give out your credit card, checking account, or Social
Security numbers.

GET SIGNED UP TODAY AND PROTECT YOURSELF

It is free for Indiana residents to sign up on the “Do Not Call”
list. To register by telephone, call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number
that you want to register. To
register online, know that you will have to respond to a confirmation email to list your
number. Residents may submit landline and wireless numbers, or prepaid
numbers used in Indiana.

Indianapolis attorneys Stephen Wagner and Jason Reese don’t want
you to become vulnerable to criminals trying to collect your personal
information over the phone and our first piece of advice is, “If
you don’t know the number, just don’t answer it.” In
addition, if someone is trying to scam you over the phone, call 1-800-382-5516
to report it.

In the case that you or a loved one is a victim of fraud, it can be unclear
to understand your rights and where to turn to next. Wagner Reese offers
a free, no-obligation consultation. Contact us now at 1-888- 710-9377
to schedule an appointment in our Indianapolis or Carmel offices, or use
our convenient,
confidential contact form.