01/02/2007

10 tips to recognize fraud and prevent it

A number of examples of typical fraud cases.

You receive a letter stating that you won a fantastic prize, but you never took part in a tombola or a competition. You can be sure that they are trying to swindle you, especially when you are asked to pay a certain sum first.

You receive a letter from a pensioned Nigerian colonel, who knows about a large amount of money, which is blocked in a bank account somewhere. The colonel is calling on your assistance to retrieve this money. In exchange you will receive a considerable amount of the cash. But first you need to transfer a certain amount of money yourself. Lies and fraud.

As a physiotherapist you are offered the opportunity to be included in a European guide of liberal professions free of charge. All you have to do is fill in the card with all your data. Of course you registered and at the end of the day you receive a hefty invoice. The small print, which is well hidden, states that if you signed the document, which you were asked to do in large print, you effectively registered for a paying ad. Never pay. Such firms have already been taken to court successfully.

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veryone can hone their skills when it comes to preventing fraud by memorizing the following ten tips. In doing so you will avoid being taken in and losing important sums of money.

1. If it’s too good to be true, then often it isn’t true. There are no miracles. Nobody wins a wonderful trip or the jackpot without an effort. Even if you want to believe it, don’t. This is pure fraud.

2. When you are asked to pay a sum of money for reasons that are not clear or illogic, then don’t pay. If you won a prize, you should not have to pay for it.

3. When a salesman turns up on your doorstep and you did not invite him yourself beforehand, be especially wary. The praised products are rarely as exceptional as you are being told by the salesman, with his glib sales pitch. Moreover you might end up buying something you didn’t really want in the first place. And at the end of the day you are left with a product that you didn’t need and a lot of regrets.

4. Ask the full name of the person that you are talking to and ask for a detailed explanation. Ask more information about anything that doesn’t seem clear to you.

5. Always carefully read the terms and conditions. Take your time, don’t be rushed, ask a copy so that you take it home and peruse it at your leisure before signing it.

6. Remember that you are bound by the sales contract for most sales once you have signed it. If you wish to cancel the sale after your purchase, then you will have to pay compensation. So think twice about your decision and only sign the dotted line once you are sure of your purchase.

7. Read the small print. It often contains the most important information.

8. Be careful if you are told that this is an exceptional offer that you need to accept immediately. You’ll find out that such offers are not that exceptional at all and they are often also more expensive than a normal purchase. Do not let yourself be pressured.

9. Dare to say no. It is not impolite, nor is it impudent. You are being made a commercial proposal and you have the right to refuse it at all times without having to justify yourself.

10. If you have any doubts about the seller, the company that he represents or the products that he is selling, then don’t buy. Make your decision the next day or get some information from an independent organisation or professional, who can provide reliable advice.