You can also take a case to a Disputes Tribunal , and, if you believe the telemarketer has breached the Fair Trading Act , you can complain to the Commerce Commission . But neither body will be able to do much to help if the telemarketer is based overseas. Some telemarketers are straight-out crooks, and the numbers operating here seem to be growing. This may be in part because overseas crackdowns have been so successful, the crooks have started phoning places like New Zealand to find new victims. Telemarketing scams are such big business overseas there are special advice services on the problem.
Older people are frequently the target.
If you're cold called by someone saying you've won a great prize, but you have to send them money to get it, you're being suckered. Refuse to send you information before you commit to anything. Claim you'll make huge profits with no risk. Ask for a donation to a charity but won't tell you how you can verify they are legitimate. Ask for your bank account number.