Telemarketing and Telephone ServicesPrizes & Sweepstakes
Microsites
- Who's Calling? Recognize & Report Phone Fraud
Explains several deceptive telemarketing schemes, and how you can protect yourself against them. Includes two short videos.
Facts for Consumers
- A JOLT from the Blue:
Jamaican Fraudsters Using Telemarketing to Target U.S. Consumers [PDF]
Warns U.S. consumers about fraudulent telemarketers based in Jamaica who are calling people in the U.S., telling them that they’ve won a sweepstakes or foreign lottery. Explains the collaboration between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Jamaican Constabulary Force to inform consumers about these scams and stop them. 8.5”x11”, 2 pages .
- Fraud: Recognize It. Report It. Stop It. [PDF]
Highlights the latest trends and sophisticated techniques used by scam artists to steal your money, offers tips to help protect yourself, and explains what to do and where to complain if you're victimized. 4"x9", 8 pages, color.
- Prize Offers: You Don't Have to Pay to Play
[PDF]
[en español]
Offers tips for consumers on how to avoid prize and sweepstakes rip-offs. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
Consumer Alerts
- International Lottery Scams [PDF]
- "I'm from the Government…": Sweepstakes Scams Feature Con Artists Impersonating Government Officials [PDF] [en español]
- Scammers Exploit the FTC’s Good Name, Promise Phony Sweepstakes Prizes [PDF]
Articles You can reprint these articles in your newsletter, magazine or website.
- Don't Let Scams Artists Make You a Lottery Loser [PDF]
A current ploy used by some criminals is to lure Americans into buying phony "low-risk" chances in supposed high-stakes foreign lotteries. Victims of these scams not only lose their money, but also risk violating federal law, which generally prohibits playing lotteries by phone or mail.