False charities are another popular consumer con. Telephone troublemakers claiming to represent everyone from police officers to the disabled take advantage of Americans' generosity to the tune of billions of dollars each year. What you can do In the face of this onslaught of fraud, the best course for consumers is to beware. If you're calling a 900 number in response to an advertisement or something you received in the mail, make sure you know all the charges up front. Before you agree to support a charity that calls seeking money, ask for written information about its finances and programs.
Consumer fraud is a crime.
If you feel you've been conned, report it to your local law enforcement agency or Better Business Bureau.