Senior citizens are favorite targets of con artists. While people over age 65 comprise only 12 percent of the population nationwide, they make up 30 percent of scam victims. Swindlers also infiltrate social groups, including garden clubs, ethnic organizations and churches, to target victims more efficiently. The heart of the telemarketing operation is a room filled with desks, telephones and salespeople who call hundreds of prospective customers all over the country. Most are assertive and highly skilled in conversational patter.
Salespeople use persuasive sales pitches, weaving together facts and half-truths.
They deceive the prospective customer into believing that financial gains will be great with very little risk. Con artists are reluctant to send literature by mail. They pressure the prospective customer to act quickly B usually immediately and over the phone. Allowing the customer to think gives the potential victim a chance to become suspicious, check out the scheme or back out of the deal. Remember, think before you act.