Telemarketing Scams

Every year, thousands of consumers lose money to telemarketing con artists.  Telephone con artists will say anything to try to cheat people out of money.  They may call you and imply that they work for a company you trust, or they may send direct mail or place ads to convince you to call them.  Attorney General Terry Goddard is warning Arizona consumers to use caution when receiving telemarketing calls.

Q.  How can consumers limit the number of telemarketing calls that they receive?

A.        The Federal Trade Commission established the National Do Not Call Registry which requires most telemarketers to stop calling.  Exceptions to the Registry are political organizations, charities, polls and surveys; companies with whom you have an existing business relationship; calls from companies you’ve given permission to call; and business to business calls.

To register your number on the Do Not Call Registry:

• Visit “DoNotCall.gov” and enter your phone number and email address.  Click “Submit.”  Confirm your information and click “Register.”  Open your email message from Register@donotcall.gov.  Click on the link to complete your registration or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register.

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Motor vehicle theft is a serious problem in many parts of the world.
In the United States, the annual loss from car theft is over $4 billion.
The Automotive Information Council reports that over one million
motor vehicles are stolen in the U.S. each year. That’s one motor
vehicle theft every 31 seconds.

For a variety of reasons, some motor vehicles have a greater
probability of being stolen than others.

Ten Most Stolen Motor Vehicles of 2002:

1. Toyota Cambry

2. Honda Accord

3. Honda Civic

4. Chevrolet Full Size P/U

5. Ford Full Size P/U

6. Jeep Cherokee

7. Oldsmobile Cutlas

8. Dodge Caravan

9. Ford Taurus

10. Toyota Corolla

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(Phoenix, Ariz. – January 22, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard is warning Arizonans to be cautious of unsolicited contractors coming to your door and offering help with repairs or clean-up related to the recent storms that have pounded the State.

Scam artists often try to capitalize on severe storms by taking advantage of homeowners coping with damage. Some unsolicited contractors will claim to have extra materials because they are doing work in the neighborhood. The pitch to the homeowner includes a “discounted” price for materials so the contractor won’t have to throw materials away.

The homeowner is typically given a verbal quote, but never a written estimate for the job. The unsolicited contractor will do the work, and in some cases without the homeowner’s consent, will do additional work.  After the job is complete, the homeowner may be presented with a bill that is hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than what was originally quoted. The person will often demand immediate payment and in some cases refuse to leave in an attempt to pressure the homeowner into paying in full.

Goddard cautions Arizona residents to think twice before allowing anyone who shows up after a severe storm to work on your home. Instead, he offers the following tips when choosing a contractor:

• Check with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (www.azroc.gov) to make sure the contractor you are considering has a license.
• Ask for written estimates from at least three contractors.
• Request a list of references and check them before agreeing to hire anyone.
• Make sure the scope of the project, the price and any other relevant terms are spelled out in a written contract.
• Never allow yourself to be hurried into making a decision.  No reputable contractor will pressure you into a quick hiring decision.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at 602.542.5763; in Tucson at 520.628.6504; or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1.800.352.8431.  To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General’s Office has satellite offices throughout the state with volunteers available to help.  Locations and hours of operation are posted on the Attorney General’s Web site.  Consumers can also file complaints on line by visiting the Attorney General’s Web site at www.azag.gov

For additional information, please contact Molly Edwards at (602) 542-8019.

The Maricopa Police Department would like for you to take a moment to watch this video on a new way criminals have to break into residential and business locks.

Lock bumping Video

Surveillance video cameras or Close Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance can be a key element in a criminal investigation. The quality of the surveillance system is extremely important.  CCTV video surveillance can record and play back, be monitored by personnel or use a combination of these methods….

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When using a wireless router and or a network that is unsecured anyone could access that network from about two blocks away.  Just as we would not leave our windows and doors open or unlocked we need to think about our wireless networks in the same way.

Don’t invite hackers onto your network by not having it secured.  Identity thieves and other criminals will use nearby unsecured wireless networks run by neighbors and local businesses to commit crime.

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