Telemarketing is a business that seems to annoy many Illinois residents. Sometimes, telemarketing fraud is involved. If you are arrested for this crime, it’s important to immediately get help for your case.
What is telemarketing fraud?
Telemarketing is a line of work that involves selling a product or service over the phone. However, if a person makes calls that involve deception while claiming to offer products or services for a certain fee, it is considered telemarketing fraud. This is a white-collar crime that can lead to the perpetrator gaining another person’s sensitive personal and financial information.
Telemarketing fraud is a federal offense, which means a person can face harsh penalties if they are convicted of the crime. The Federal Trade Commission investigates allegations whenever a complaint is filed and prosecutes any cases involving telemarketing fraud.
Some examples of telemarketing fraud include the following:
- Promising a person goods or services in exchange for payment
- Claiming that a person has participated in a contest or sweepstakes
- Asking a person for an investment for profit
- Persuading a person to agree to commit to a loan
- Convincing a person to donate money or gifts to charity
- Asking a person to pay money to participate in a research study
- Fooling a person into paying by claiming their computer has a virus
What are the penalties for telemarketing fraud?
A person who is convicted of telemarketing fraud can face a prison term of up to five years in addition to a steep fine. However, if the victim is older than 55 years of age, it’s possible to face an additional 10 years in prison.
Telemarketing fraud can disrupt the lives of many people. Those who are accused of it need the strongest defense in their case.