That's why sales calls from people or organizations that are unknown to you should always be checked out before you actually buy or invest. Legitimate callers have nothing to hide. Phone swindlers are likely to know more about you than you know about them. Depending on where they got your name from in the first place, they may know your age and income, health and hobbies, occupation and marital status, education, the home you live in, what magazines you read, and whether you've bought by phone in the past. As admirable as such characteristics may be, they help make the swindler's job easier.
Swindlers also exploit less admirable characteristics, such as greed.
Their success depends on it. Perpetrators of phone fraud are extremely good at sounding as though they represent legitimate businesses. They offer investments, sell subscriptions, provide products for homes and offices, promote travel and vacation plans, describe employment opportunities, solicit donations, and the list goes on. Even if you've read lists of the kinds of schemes most commonly practiced, innovative swindlers constantly devise new ones. It's not uncommon for phone crooks to use direct mailings and advertise in reputable publications to encourage prospects to make the initial contact.