Boiler Room Scams
From Consumer Wiki
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Many legitimate companies use the telephone to solicit business, and "telemarketing" has become a widely used and sophisticated tool. However, some offers of goods and services are fraudulent. Consumers should be aware that a telemarketer might be a swindler or con artist. "Boiler room scams" refer to callers who use prepared scripts and high pressure tactics to sell a wide variety of worthless or overvalued goods and services usually over the telephone. Scams may include work at home, pyramid and chain letter schemes, solicitation of mail order sales, and billing of items not ordered. In general, a consumer may cancel if a company cannot ship an ordered item within 30 days.
DOJ -
Office of the Attorney General
Public Inquiry Unit
PO Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
(800) 952-5225 (CA Callers)
(916) 322-3360 (Out of State)
(916) 323-5341 (fax)
(800) 952-5548 (TDD in CA)
(916) 327-5564 (TDD Out of State)
(916)4459555
www.caag.state.ca.us/
United States Government Postal Service
INSPECTION SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP
ATTN: FRAUD SECTION
SUITE 1250
222 S RIVERSIDE PLAZA
CHICAGO IL 60606-6100
(800) 275-8777 (national number)
[1]
Work at home, pyramid, chain
letter schemes, solicitation by
mail, theft of mail, mail delivery
problems; includes billing for items
not ordered.</ p>
United States Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
(877) 382-4357
[2]
<p>Deceptive sales pitches.
Time exceeded for merchandise ordered;
if canceled, must refund consumer's cash,
check, or money order within 7 working
days or credit card account within one
billing period (approximately 30 days). </ p>
Department Publications: Be Smart-Buy Smart: Contests, Sweepstakes and Lotteries (P-27)
Be Smart-Buy Smart: Mail Order (P-31)
Be Smart-Buy Smart: Prizes and Gifts (P-32)
Be Smart-Buy Smart: Telemarketing (P-34)
Other Publications: "Boiler Room Sales Schemes Against Business"
Other References: None
Other Referrals: Mail Complaints
Postal Inspector
Federal Trade Commission
Attorney General
<p>
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