Seniors get scammed in alarming numbers...
New effort educates seniors on preventing telemarketing fraud...

Seniors and Telemarketing Fraud 101, created with senior citizens in mind, this new publication will help you to identify and avoid telemarketing scams that often target older Americans.

Washington , DC – As part of National Fraud Awareness Week, the National Crime Prevention Council urges that Americans be alert to consumer fraud aimed at older citizens.   Each year, nearly 25 million Americans are victims of consumer fraud. In many cases, people have been victimized in their own homes and even lost their life savings.  Senior citizens are a rapidly increasing segment of the population, which makes them a prime target for con artists and thieves. Studies show that fraudulent telemarketers direct anywhere from 56 to 80 percent of their calls at older Americans.

Many legitimate companies and charities solicit consumers by phone and consider it an effective way to raise money or increase company business.  However, others are up to no good. The National Crime Prevention Council says seniors can prevent telemarketing fraud by being shrewd and savvy with telemarketers and keeping these tips in mind:

Offers too good to be true usually are. Ask to receive the unbelievable deal or the amazing prize offer in writing so you can read it carefully before making a commitment.

Never give out your personal information over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Legitimate business callers will not ask you for this information over the phone.

If a caller asks you to pay for an offer in advance or asks for your credit card number or Social Security number, tell the person you don’t give out personal information over the telephone.

Remember that legitimate telemarketers won’t be turned off if you use these techniques.  They will appreciate dealing with an educated consumer.

Together with the U.S. Department of Justice and National Association of Broadcasters, the National Crime Prevention Council has launched new public service announcements that can be seen on television stations nationwide. The PSAs help seniors learn valuable tips for dealing with telephone marketers and provide a behind-the-scenes-look at how scammers work to take advantage of the elderly.  McGruff the Crime Dog®, the icon of NCPC and crime prevention, teaches seniors how to protect themselves against telemarketing fraud. An informative brochure is available at www.ncpc.org/seniors.

About the National Crime Prevention Council

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to enable people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur. NCPC manages public service advertising under the National Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign—symbolized by McGruff the Crime Dog® and his “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®” slogan—and acts as secretariat for the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, more than 300 national, federal, state, and local organizations representing thousands of constituents who are committed to preventing crime. NCPC is funded through a variety of government agencies, corporate and private foundations, and donations from private individuals. NCPC also participates in the Combined Federal Campaign. For more information on crime prevention issues, visit www.ncpc.org .