Mississippi Telemarketing Fraud

Attorney General Jim Hood has warned Mississippi residents that a telemarketing scam that is being run out of Canada is targeting Mississippi residents in greater numbers than ever before. He has asked the FBI and Canadian authorities for help but it is hard to catch and harder to prosecute these scam artists. For every one caught or shut down, another seems to take his place. Your best protection is being able to recognize these scam artists techniques before you become a victim. One such scam seems to be targeting Mississippi seniors. The scam begins with a telephone call stating that you have won money in some type of Canadian lottery or sweepstakes. The callers are convincing. They represent themselves as attorneys charged with making sure you get paid your "winnings". Warning one, lotteries won't notify you by telephone that you won, warning two the caller states he needs you to send him money to pay Canadian taxes or customs fees in order to send the money to the United States. The amount needed ranges from $1,000 to $10,000. Hang up. These people are convincing don't listen. They are so convincing that they took Americans for an estimated $2,250,000 in just half a year. A retired Mississippi school teacher lost $30,000 to this scam. What is worse is $20,000 of that sent to the scam artists after she contacted the FBI and was advised that it was a scam and not to send any more money. I repeat, they are convincing. Your only defense is to hang up before they convince you.

A new version of this scam is being seen in Mississippi where it is the Government of Canada itself sending letters of winning the Canadian lottery. The envelope contains a "prepayment" check that you are supposed to put in your bank and then mail back to Canada the same amount to cover, you guessed it customs and taxes. Of course it isn't a real check, but you won't know that until after you have sent your real money to the scam artist.

Why are there always others to take the place of those caught by the FBI? Forty Billion Dollars each year. The main target, the elderly. Why are the calls and letters coming from Canada or other countries like Nigeria? The effort of multiple countries to coordinate enforcement actions gives the scam artists time to practice and then move on before the law catches up with them.

Again, the warning signs, (1) if you didn't enter, you didn't win, it's a scam (2) If someone asks you to pay money in advance, it's a scam. (3) If you are asked to cash a check and then send money, it's a scam.

If you think you are being targeted, talk to someone before you act. Do not send money to anyone without talking to someone you know and trust like your family or minister. Remember you can always call the Mississippi Consumer Protection staff at 601/359-4230.