It's not always easy to spot con artists. They're smart, extremely persuasive, and aggressive. They invade your home through the telephone and the mail, advertise in well-known newspapers and magazines, and come to your door.
Most people think they're too smart to fall for a scam.
But con artists rob all kinds of people, from investment counselors and doctors to teenagers and elderly widows, of billions of dollars every year. It's illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift. If you tell telemarketers not to call again, they can't. If they do, they have broken the law. Listen carefully to the name of a charity requesting money.