In Florida, telemarketing fraud is a crime that occurs over the phone. The activity often involves a person posing as the representative of a company that is selling a fraudulent product or service. It is often difficult to catch a telemarketer who uses various technologies to remain anonymous. Each state has different penalties against acts of telemarketing fraud.
Types of telemarketing fraud
Telemarketing fraud is a scam that is perpetrated by a telemarketer over the phone. Common indicators of a scam include asking for immediate payment, asking to confirm one’s identity and asking for other forms of personal information. A telemarketer often tries to promote a fraudulent product or service that is too expensive or has little or no value. Another type of fraud is the offering of a fake job that requires the disclosure of a name, Social Security number or other personal details.
To commit fraud, some perpetrators hide their caller IDs or use robocall technology to make automatic calls. Many telemarketers avoid getting blocked by using tools to hide or change their numbers and remain anonymous.
Preventative measures
Phone harassment is a common telemarketing fraud that has resulted in the passing of nationwide telemarketing laws. The National Do Not Call Registry maintains a list of individuals who request not to be contacted by telemarketers. Any person or company that violates this law is open to being sued or having criminal charges brought against them.
Telemarketing is mostly a legal activity that is heavily regulated by federal laws. The telemarketer commits fraud when using a person’s identity or financial information without permission. Telemarketing fraud can lead to the filing of civil lawsuits or criminal charges against the accused.
