Helping Telemarketing Fraud Victims

Fraud victims may feel a range of emotionsAnger and betrayal toward perpetratorShame and embarrassmentGuilt for losing family’s moneyFear of financial insecurityConcern about physical safetyFear of criticism by family and friendsAnger that no one prevented the scamFrustration about inability to get money back immediatelyConcern about possible loss of independence

Law enforcement and social service agencies can’t solve all these problems, but they may be able to help fraud victims work their way through them

Tell victimsIt could happen to anyone, regardless of age, sex, income, education, occupation, originsThey’re not alone. If you know and can share fact that there are other victims, that can be reassuring

Shift the blameIt’s the perpetrator’s fault, not the victim’sCrooks appeal to human natureWe all want to believe it’s our lucky dayCrooks are skillful at convincing people promises are trueSome victims may have been foolish or greedy, but it’s not right for crooks to steal by lying to them

Encourage victims to report fraudExplain process, whether there is chance of public exposure

Explain that every complaint makes action more likely

Help victims gather documents, make complaints

Reassure victims about safetyCrooks are usually far away, unlikely to cause any physical harm

If victims are harassed or threatened, urge them to report to authorities

In case of severe harassment by phone, may need to change phone number

Be realistic with victimsEncourage them to provide information, but don’t raise false hopes Formal legal action may never be taken or may take a long time

If complaints will be mediated informally, attempts to mediate may not resolve problems

May not be possible to retrieve money

When restitution possible, may not be whole amount

Victims may not get regular updates

Turn victims into fraud fightersInformation they provide may stop perpetrators even if restitution not possible

Ask if they’re willing to be interviewed by media, testify before legislature, have stories used in other outreach Even if they won’t “go public,” they may allow their stories to be used without their names

Victims may be interested in volunteering in your office, speaking to peers at community events

Encourage them to report future attempts to defraud

Get their help to connect to clubs, civic organizations, churches, other groups with which they have contact

Ask victims how the fraud has impacted familyYou may be able to help family understand what has happened, not to blame victim

If victim is willing, family may be able to assist in making complaint, deal with financial problems, help in other ways as needed

Family members must be sensitive to victim’s concern about maintaining independence

Unless victim is incapacitated, should be free to manage own affairs

Encourage but don’t pressure victim to involve family

Ask victims about financial impact of fraudLoss could be minor or have major financial impact

Victims may be temporarily unable to pay bills

Loss could be so severe that victims can’t meet basic needs

Older victims may be unable to earn money back

Victims may need to negotiate lower or deferred payment with creditors

Victims may need help budgeting

Nonprofit credit counseling service may be able to help

If need is urgent – utilities about to be shut off – victim may give you consent to contact creditors directly

Local charities may be able to provide financial assistance

Financial losses can be ongoingIf crooks have victims’ bank account numbers, may continue to debit accounts

May be necessary to change account numbers

Fraud can cause serious emotional, physical problemsSuggest victims get help from doctors, counselors, clergy, social service professionals, as appropriate

Confiding in family, friends may also be helpful

Create a support group so victims can help each other cope with problems

Warn victims they may be solicited againSome crooks contact again to ask for more money “Sorry that investment didn’t work out but this one is a sure thing”“You sent taxes for the sweepstakes but now you need to pay the customs fee”

Victims’ information may be shared with other crooks

May be contacted by “recovery service” promising to get money back (for upfront fee)

Important for victims to know that law enforcement agencies don’t ask for payment to help them

Help victims develop anti-fraud strategiesTalk about warning signs of fraud

Use their situation as example

Give them educational materials

Ask what they would suggest to someone else who might be contacted by con artist Encourage them to follow that advice themselves

Urge them to check on any solicitations they question with state or local consumer agency, BBB

Encourage victims to get off telemarketing listsPut their numbers on national “do not call” registryThey can do it, or family member can helpCall 888-382-1222, TTY 866-290-4326 from phone they want to registerPeople who live in buildings that use PBX phone systems may not be able to register by phoneRegister online at www.donotcall.govRegistration may not stop fraudulent telemarketers from callingBut may help victims distinguish legitimate callers from fraudulentAnswering machines can help to screen callsDon’t fill out contest entry forms from unknown companies, used to compile “sucker lists”