International Law

Stealing the FTC Name

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From the FTC Press Release on a Lottery Fraud:

In their latest effort to defraud the public, con artists claiming to work for the Federal Trade Commission are calling consumers and claiming that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes.

As the nation's consumer protection agency, the FTC never collects money directly from consumers.

But the public may be fooled, because by using Internet technology, con artists can make it appear that they are calling from Washington, DC, where the FTC is headquartered.

The FTC's name may even be displayed on consumers' caller ID machines.

All the public has to do, according to the con artists' pitch, is pay the taxes and insurance on their "winnings."

The caller asks that consumers wire money or send a check for an amount between $1,000 and $10,000.

In reality, there is no prize, and the scammers disappear with the consumers' money."

Yet another reason to screen your telephone calls and purchase an answering machine. You would not leave your house unlocked, why leave your telephone unlocked?

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on October 16, 2008 (boomark / email).