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Illegal Sales, Fraud, etc.
If you are victimized:
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Appointment Sales
 

Phone calls telling you that you have won something or postcards promising you something if you visit a place of business that sells expensive products.

Pyramid Schemes/Multilevel Marketing Sales
 

You are coerced into purchasing a large volume of products with promises that you will be able to earn a significant amount of money by introducing the products to other people and selling them.

Catch Sales
 

An unscrupulous sales practice where someone corners you on a busy street and asks you to answer a survey in order to lure you to a coffee shop or some other location to ultimately sell you expensive products.

Negative Option
 

A company sends you products that you didn’t order and charges you for them.
You are not required to pay for or return the product. It can be disposed of at your discretion 14 days after the date of delivery or, if you have requested that the seller pick it up, seven days after making such a request.

Imposter Selling
 

An individual impersonates a public officer, such as an official from the fire department offering fire safety inspections and compels you to buy products such as a fire extinguisher.

Free Trial Sales (Esthetic Salons, etc.)
 

You are invited to try a free trial for hair removal or other such procedure and they make you sign an expensive, long-term contract.

"It's me, it's me!" (Relative-in-Distress Fraud)
 

You are led to believe that one of your family members is in some form of trouble and that you need to pay compensation.

Billing Fraud
 

You receive notification that usage fees for a particular service are unpaid and they compel you to pay.

How to Avoid Being Victimized
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Scam artists often lie about their identity or hide their true intentions. If you are uncertain about anything, do not hesitate to ask questions so that you don't get caught up in their conversation.

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Never let such salespeople enter your home. Once they have entered your home, they will stay as long as it takes until you buy whatever it is they are selling.

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There is no such thing as easy money. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it is.

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Indecisiveness is what they look for. Be assertive and if they don't give up and leave, call the police (dial 110).

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If you don't know what to do, ask someone for advice.

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What a scam artist says and what is written in their contract are often quite different. Always read any contract carefully before signing.