New Telemarketing Scam Targets Montana Senior Citizens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2001
Contact: Cort Jensen
406-444-5439

(Helena)-- Governor Judy Martz today warned all Montanans to be aware of a new telemarketing scam targeting credit card and bank account numbers.

The scam artists, who are focusing on senior citizens, claim to be selling 'identity prevention' theft kits, anti-telemarketing kits and credit card insurance, according to the state's Office of Consumer Protection.

"These telemarketers, who are demanding credit card or bank account numbers are seeking only to steal money from Montana's consumers, particularly our senior citizens," said Governor Martz. "I strongly encourage all Montanans who receive calls from telemarketers to take every precaution necessary to ensure that these criminals do not have access to their bank accounts or credit cards."

According to Cort Jensen, attorney for the Office of Consumer Protection, this new type of scam artist is very aggressive.

"These criminals will not take 'no' for an answer. They demand you give them your credit card number or your bank account number," said Jensen. "They state you will be billed about 30 dollars, but in fact they plan to bill you 30 dollars a month for 10 to 12 months. The contact number they provide is not their own. It is the customer service number for a business with no association with them."

"These people are preying upon the politeness and good manners of Montana's seniors," said Jenson. "They know we were taught not to be rude. Sadly, hanging up may be the only way to get these particular people off the phone."

"I urge any Montanan affected by this or any other telemarketing scam or harassment to call our Consumer Protection Office at 1-406-444-4500," said Governor Martz. "The businesses involved with these scams have not registered with that office. We will need all the information we can get in order to find these people and penalize them appropriately." The telemarketing scams are operating under numerous names, and consumers are urged to contact the CPO if they have any questions.

The Office of Consumer Protection provided the following advice to Montanans:

• Don't give out your bank or credit card information over the phone to someone you don't know. It is a good idea to never give out any personal information (like your social security number) to a person who called you.
• If you do not wish to be called again, tell the telemarketer to put you on their Do Not Call list.
• If a telemarketer is trying to rush or bully you into agree to purchase something, tell them no thanks and hang up on them.

"Most importantly, if you feel you have been cheated or tricked by a telemarketer, call our office," said Jensen. "We may be able to help you. Plus, by calling you may help someone else."

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