Scenario 1: On the telephone
Sam gets a phone call and needs to decide how to respond. Which choice do you think is best?
Sam receives a phone call from his local electric company. The customer service representative explains a special, time-limited offer on a new kind of light bulb that will cut Sam’s electric bill up to 80%. In order to guarantee his order, all he needs to provide is his customer account number, address, and a credit card number. She explains that due to the popularity of this offer, he must respond during this call or he’ll miss out.
The consequences of your choice
See the consequences of this choice for Sam and hear what the coach has to say.
”Oh, no … I think I made a big mistake. How do I know she was even from the electric company? If she was, she would have had my account number, wouldn’t she? And I gave her my credit card number, too! Now I’m worried that it was all a scam.”
If an offer sounds “too good to be true,” it probably is. The fact that the salesperson is applying pressure on Sam to buy now is one more warning sign to watch out for. If the business and offer are legitimate, you’ll always be given an opportunity to think it over and call back.
If someone contacts you to “award a prize” or “verify a statement,” don't give them information or money. Instead, alert the US Postal Inspection Service.
The consequences of your choice
See the consequences of this choice for Sam and hear what the coach has to say.
“It sounded like a great deal, but I should have thought twice before giving her my credit card number. Now I’m worried! Who knows if she was really from the electric company? What if my credit card number gets stolen? I should have double-checked with the company and asked for a name and number to call her back.”
If an offer sounds “too good to be true,” it probably is. The fact that the salesperson is applying pressure on Sam to buy now is one more warning sign to watch out for. If the business and offer are legitimate, you’ll always be given an opportunity to think it over and call back.
If someone contacts you to “award a prize” or “verify a statement,” don't give them information or money. Instead, alert the US Postal Inspection Service.
The consequences of your choice
See the consequences of this choice for Sam and hear what the coach has to say.
“I called the electric company myself by calling the number on an earlier statement. They don’t even sell light bulbs! I only use my credit card over the phone when I make the call – never when a stranger calls me. If someone’s pressuring me to buy, I take it as a warning. What’s the rush? If they can’t answer all of my questions first, forget it. They’re not going to get any of my personal financial information, that’s for sure.”
Good advice! Whenever you’re contacted by a telephone salesperson (or “telemarketer”), ask questions. The fewer they can answer, the more likely that it’s a scam. If it’s a company you know, call them yourself, or check trustworthy sources for information about the company or organization.
If someone contacts you to “award a prize” or “verify a statement,” don't give them information or money. Instead, alert the US Postal Inspection Service.
Click the Next button to continue.