Telemarket scam uses CA name

Consumer Comments, Spring, 2001

Consumer Alert recently discovered and alerted the Federal Trade Commission to a widespread telemarketing scam in which senior citizens appear to be the primary target. According to reports we received from consumers across the country, the telemarketers start their sales pitch by telling consumers that their personal and financial information is "all over the Internet." They offer to remove the information for a fee and ask that consumers verify their bank account, credit card or social security numbers. Some of the telemarketers even claim to represent a particular bank.

The FTC recently learned that this particular telemarketing group has used at least three different aliases, "Peace and Quiet", "R&R Consultants" and, most recently, a name similar to our own, the "Consumer Alert Agency." The link between the three, a phony New York address, was discovered as a result of savvy consumers interrogating the callers.

As a general rule, you should never give out personal or financial information over the phone to unsolicited callers. If you believe that you have been the victim of a telemarketing scam by someone claiming to be with the Consumer Alert Agency, please contact us by phone at (202) 467-5809 or email at info@consumeralert.org.