Browse all the Lawforwa Resources on Telephones

Resource Description:

Questions answered by the resource:

Telephone and Telemarketing Fraud Tips
http://www.fraud.org/tips/telemarketing/index.htm
Source: National Fraud Information Center

Detailed description of how to avoid becoming a victim of telephone-related fraud. Included are a general tips and tips regarding specific types of fraud including: advance fee loans, bogus credit card offers, buyers clubs, cramming, credit repair, job scams, Nigerian money offers, prizes and sweepstakes, scholarship scams, work-at-home scams, business opportunities, charity scams, credit card loss protection, investment scams, magazine sales, 900 numbers and pay-per-call services, pyramids and multilevel marketing, slamming, and travel fraud. Some of the tips describe marketing practices that are illegal and list steps consumers should take if they have become a victim of fraud. Also describes how consumers can avoid receiving sales calls. Information is available in Spanish.
full description

• How can I determine if a telemarketing call is legitimate?
• How can I avoid becoming a victim of telemarketing or telephone fraud?
• How can I determine whether a credit card offer/loan offer/job placement service/prize or sweepstakes offer/scholarship search service/charity/business or investment opportunity/magazine offer/travel offer is legitimate?
• How can I get telemarketers to stop calling me?
• There are charges on my phone bill for products or services I did not order or calls I did not make. What should I do?
• My long distances service was switched without my permission. What should I do?

Trial Offers
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/
Source: Federal Trade Commission

Explains how conditional free trial offers work, including some common techniques used by businesses to get consumers to make purchases through trial offers. Also explains what the law requires businesses offering free trials to disclose to consumers. Includes a list of questions consumer should ask businesses before agreeing to a free trial.
full description

• I agreed to try a product or service for a free trial period. Now I am being billed for it. Do I have to pay?
• Can I return the product or cancel the service after a trial period?
• I have been offered a free trial for a product or service. Should I take it?
• What do I need to know about trial periods to protect my rights?

Unordered Merchandise
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/
Source: Federal Trade Commission

Describes consumers' rights and obligations regarding merchandise received but not purchased or ordered.
full description

• If I received a product I did not order or purchase, can I keep it without paying?
• Am I obligated to return or pay for merchandise I never ordered?
• Must I notify the seller if I keep unordered merchandise without paying for it?
• What should I do if the unordered merchandise I received was the result of an honest shipping error?
• Is there any merchandise that may be sent legally without my consent?
• Is there any way to protect myself from shippers of unordered merchandise?
• Where can I go for help in dealing with unordered merchandise problems?

Senior Fraud
http://www.atg.wa.gov/SeniorFraud/default.aspx
Source: Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Information on con games or scams that target older adults or senior citizens. Topics include Charity Scams, Foreign Lottery, Identity Theft, Internet Scams, Home Improvement Schemes, Investment Scams, Living TrustsSweepstakes Scams, Travel Scams.
full description

• Where can I find information about how to avoid being taken in by a con game or scam?

Frequently Asked Advertising Questions:A Guide for Small Business
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/adv/bus35
Source: Federal Trade Commission

Comprehensive guide, in a question and answer format, to Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") regulations of advertising by businesses. Intended for small businesses, but can also function as a consumer guide to illegal advertising practices. Topics covered include: what makes an advertisement unfair or deceptive, penalties that can be imposed and consumer remedies for violations, and specific rules for certain types of products and advertisements such as contests and sweepstakes, drugs, bait and switch advertising, and free trials and rebate offers. Includes links to more detailed information about many of the covered topics.
full description

• What business advertising practices are illegal?
• What laws protect me from false advertising and unfair or deceptive acts by businesses?
• When is an advertisement considered unfair or deceptive?