South Snohomish County Crime Watch Hot Sheet: WASHINGTON STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL – New Way to Report Robocalls and Telemarketing Scams

Yesterday, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office announced a new way for the public to report robocalls to it.

Before the new online form, Washington citizens could report robocalls to the Attorney General’s general consumer complaint form. With the new purpose-built form, AG staff will have more precise information that should help it to react faster to consumer complaints.

Along with the new online form, the AG’s Office has created an informational website on robocalls and telemarketing scams.

Robocalls are unsolicited automated phone calls that try to sell you something or ask you to contribute to a cause. If you have listed your phone number on the Do Not Call List, legitimate businesses will honor your desires by not calling your phone number. Scammers and fraudsters usually will call you whether or not your number is on the Do Not Call List.

Other signs that a phone call is a scam include,

· The call asks for personal information.

· Their offer seems too good to be true.

· The caller requests payment other than by credit card.

· The caller uses threats or scare tactics to convince you to act.

If you suspect that a call is a scam, the Attorney General’s Office recommends that you,

· Do not trust your Caller ID.

· Do not answer the call.

· If you answer, and the call meets one of the above criteria, HANG UP.

· Do not pay for or accept any offers.

· Resist the urge to call back or confront the caller.

· Block the number. You can find out how from your service provider.