Don’t lose money to telephone con artists

It’s any weekday evening after a long day at work. You’ve fed the family pets and perhaps managed to have supper yourself when the phone rings

It’s a telemarketer, operating at full tilt, offering you a chance to buy something without risk at a price you won’t believe. Or a chance to invest in one of an endless number of schemes that promise big returns with just a little upfront money from you. Multiplied by many thousands, the result is multibillions in losses from telephone scams every year.

And you could be the next victim – unless you know how these fast-talking operators work and realize that they’re only after your money.

Some of the common come-ons include, “You need to act fast,” “You’ve won one of five valuable prizes,” and “We’ll just put the shipping and handling charge on your credit card.” You might also be promised a “fabulous, free vacation” that could turn out to include hidden, higher charges than normal for hotels or travel.

The old maxim “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” still applies. If the person on the other end of the phone line is making promises that raise red flags in your mind, beware. Either hang up immediately or proceed with extreme caution.

Be especially wary of appeals to invest your money, especially if the caller insists that you make an immediate decision. It’s wise never to invest with someone you’ve never met except over the phone. If you have any interest in the offer, check first with Maine securities regulators to be sure the solicitor is properly registered.

If you give a caller your credit card or bank account information, you’ll get nothing except those fees and likely a number of other charges you weren’t expecting and did not approve.

Many of us hesitate to say no and fail to realize that all some fraud artists want us to say over the phone is yes. They may be recording the call without telling you, engaging you in what seems like casual conversation, but it’s really designed to prompt you to say yes one or more times. Be careful: They could use those responses to create a whole new conversation in which you appear to be agreeing to all sorts of things.

If you’re somewhat adventurous, as well as cautious, you can have a little fun with these callers. Keep them on the line as long as possible, asking questions and diverting them from their prepared script whenever possible. Waste their time; they’ve wasted enough of yours and other people’s. And while they’re talking with you, they’re not taking anyone’s money.

To avoid most of these hassles, put your phone on the national Do Not Call Registry. You can register online at www.donotcall.gov, or call toll-free 888-382-1222 (TTY: 866-290-4236) on the phone on which you do not want to be called.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration, now in its 30th year, of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcomed to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.