The consumer is offered the chance to make big money working at home or buying a franchise. Promised earnings may be inflated or fictitious. The consumer is asked to contribute to a nonexistent charity or one in which most of the money actually goes directly to the fundraiser. Characteristics of Deceptive Schemes Sellers sometimes use misleading advertising to sell products or services or solicit donations without disclosing all terms. Sellers use high pressure sales tactics or demand immediate action.
Sellers promise unrealistically high returns on investments or earnings from business opportunities.
In small print on the card, you also authorize switching of your long distance carrier. A telemarketer asks you to change to its network. After you tell the caller you do not want to change, they move you anyway. A company changes you to their network without speaking with you or you signing any authorization form. Although carriers are required to switch customers back without charge, customers have to pay the charges for calls placed on the second company's network, sometimes at much higher rates than before.