If you get a charitable solicitation, ask how much of the money actually goes to the charity and how much for telemarketing costs. Never give credit card numbers to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and know exactly with whom you're dealing. Such a request is illegal. Keep in mind that no legitimate authority would ever ask you to withdraw your own money from the bank for any reason. A legitimate telemarketer should respect your wishes.
New regulations require companies to maintain lists of people who've asked to be left alone.
Don't let embarrassment keep you from reporting suspicious activity and helping to prevent others from being victimized. The more authorities know, the better able they'll be to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators. If you are active and involved in the Huntington Beach community, you probably have met Suzie Wajda somewhere in your travels. Suzie is one of the Education specialists with Huntington Beach Police Department and is assigned in the Community Liaison Team. For the past nineteen years, Suzie has been the driving force in directing and coordinating the city's Neighborhood Watch Program.