Top Ten Telemarketing Scams Fact Sheet

  1. Cramming-billing consumers for optional services they never ordered

  2. Advance Fee Loans-empty promises of personal or business loans often targeted to people with financial problems, requiring payment of fees in advance.

  3. Slamming-consumers are tricked into switching their phone service to another carrier without their knowledge or consent.

  4. Prizes/Sweepstakes-phony prize awards that require payment of fees first -- and never materialize

  5. Work-at-Home Plans-kits sold to stuff envelopes, fabricate jewelry, or perform other work-at-home for which false promises of profits are made.

  6. Magazine Sales-telemarketers falsely represent that they are calling on behalf of the publisher to renew the consumer's subscription and never deliver the magazines, or misrepresent the total cost.

  7. Credit Card Offers-phony promises of credit cards, often targeting people with poor credit histories, requiring payment of fees in advance.

  8. Telephone Pay-Per-Call Services-cost of calls to access information or entertainment services through 900 numbers, 800 numbers or international phone numbers are not adequately or accurately disclosed.

  9. Business Opportunity/Franchises-exaggerated claims for amount of potential profits through investments in prepackaged businesses or franchises.

  10. Travel/Vacations-offers of free trips or discount travel that never materialize.

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