Victims, on the other hand, are more reluctant to hang up on telemarketers, and they listen for signals they feel confirm that the caller is legitimate. The good news is that people who understand the risk can defeat unscrupulous telemarketers by listening for the warning signs, resisting pressure, and verifying companies' claims with the Better Business Bureau or state attorney general.
Cautious consumers thwart scams.
One way to educate yourself is to review the Better Business Bureau's Alerts page , which details schemes that have been reported. For the past two years, the Justice Department has been recruiting older consumers and teaching them to resist and report bogus come-ons. Operation Senior Sentinel has evolved into an effective sting operation, with dozens of trained consumers recording telephone pitches from suspected scam artists. Join the Discussions . Could Be Waiting for You.