Telemarketer Fraud 12-29-25

Telemarketing frauds trick victims with fake prizes (lotteries, vacations), urgent threats (utility shut-off, bank fraud), phony government grants, or bogus investments, using high-pressure tactics, requests for upfront fees/personal info, and promises of huge returns to steal money or data, often disguised as legitimate companies or agencies. Common examples include the Foreign Lottery Scam, Auto Warranty Scam, Government Grant Scam, Tech Support Scam, and Charity Scams, all designed to get you to send money or share sensitive details.  

Common Telemarketing Fraud Examples:

Prize/Lottery Scams: You "won" a foreign lottery or free trip but must pay taxes, fees, or processing charges first to claim it.

Government Grant Scams: You qualify for a "free" government grant, but need to pay an "application fee" or "processing fee" to get the funds.

Utility Shut-Off Scams: A caller claims your gas, electric, or water bill is overdue and you must pay immediately via gift card or wire transfer to avoid disconnection.

Auto Warranty/Insurance Scams: Posing as your car's manufacturer or insurer, they claim your warranty is expiring and pressure you to buy an expensive new plan.

Tech Support Scams: A caller claims your computer has a virus or security issue and needs remote access or payment for fake repairs.

Charity Scams: Faking affiliation with a charity to solicit donations, often with little money actually reaching the cause.

Investment Scams: Pitching "risk-free" investments or work-from-home opportunities promising high returns with little effort.

Bank/Account Fraud: Claiming your bank account is compromised and needing your personal details or money moved for "safekeeping". 

Red Flags to Watch For:

High Pressure: Demanding an immediate decision or payment.

Upfront Fees: Asking for money (gift cards, wire, crypto) to receive a prize, grant, or refund.

Too Good to Be True: Unbelievable offers or guaranteed returns.

Unsolicited Offers: Calls about things you didn't sign up for.

No Written Info: Refusal to send details in writing or provide references.

Unknown Caller ID: Spoofed or blocked numbers. 

Telemarketing fraud often involves high-pressure tactics or enticing offers designed to extract money or sensitive personal information. In 2025, scammers frequently use technology like AI-generated robocalls and caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate. 

Common examples of telemarketing fraud include:

Prize and Lottery Scams: Callers claim you have won a major prize or a foreign lottery but insist you must first pay "taxes," "insurance," or "processing fees" to release the funds.

Government Impersonator Scams: Fraudsters pose as officials from agencies like the IRS, Social

Security Administration, or the FBI, threatening arrest or legal action if you do not immediately pay a supposed debt or "verify" your Social Security number.

Grandparent/Emergency Scams: A scammer calls an older adult pretending to be a grandchild in urgent trouble (e.g., arrested or hospitalized in a foreign country) and begs for money to be wired immediately.

Tech Support Scams: Scammers claim to be from a well-known company like Microsoft and warn that your computer has a virus. They then ask for remote access to "fix" the issue and charge for unnecessary software or services.

Utility Cut-off Scams: A phony utility worker calls claiming your gas, water, or electric bill is past due and service will be disconnected within hours unless an immediate payment is made over the phone.

Credit Card and Debt Relief Scams: Callers promise to lower your credit card interest rates, repair your credit, or forgive student loans for an upfront fee.

Charity Fraud: Scammers exploit recent natural disasters or appeal to generic causes (e.g., veterans' support) using names that sound similar to legitimate charities to solicit donations.

Auto Warranty Scams: Callers posing as representatives from your car dealership or manufacturer urge you to buy an "extended warranty" to prevent service lapses.

Business Opportunity/Work-at-Home Scams: Scammers lure victims with promises of high earnings for minimal effort, such as medical billing or stuffing envelopes, provided the victim pays an upfront fee for a "start-up kit". 

Reporting and Prevention

National Do Not Call Registry: Add your number at DoNotCall.gov to reduce legitimate sales calls; if you still receive calls, they are likely fraudulent.

Report Fraud: File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if you have been targeted.

Identity Theft: If you have shared personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov to set up a recovery plan. 

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Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader