subject: Steer Clear of Fraudulent Call Center Agents [print this page] Steer Clear of Fraudulent Call Center Agents
The bad is present in the seeds of the good. That is the apt way in which you can explain the presence of fraudulent call center units. Whereas thousands of BPO units across the globe are making business a worthwhile and pleasurable experience, some such units are tainting the image black and blue. In recent months there have been numerous instances of telemarketing scams.
While browsing the news today, I came across this item which reported that the Orange County Sheriff was issuing caution signs to senior citizens. The other day some outbound call center was using the name of the Sheriff to dupe people into parting with their money. All this points to one end: we have to be careful with such dealings. Let's check the warning signs here.
The first warning sign is that the call center agent comes across as too pushy. Fraudulent outbound call center agents would be too eager to push through with the sale. As a result, they will be trying to seal the deal before targeted customers get suspicious. They will try to make you pay immediately. The BPO agent may also offer you additional bonuses and prizes for prompt payments.
In such situations, it would be wiser to take a step back and think it over. You have to realize that these are only symptoms. They may not lead to a conclusive result. Genuine telemarketing agents push for sales too. If you just detach yourself from doing something on impulse you will be in a better position to dodge fraudsters.
The second warning should come through when the call center agent offers too much of a discount or low price tags. It's true that online business firms can offer greater price cuts than land-based retail stores. However, there is a limit to that! The Orange County scam I was talking about at the start of the article is a good example here. The telemarketing agents were offering to clean chimneys at just $50! Once the outbound call center agent had the victim in the bag, they would suggest that the customer needs a new chimney lining. Most customers are going to take it for granted that getting the chimney lining work done would come with a huge cost cut as well. That's where the mask of the the BPO crumbles. When the bill comes in, it's into the thousands!
The police have noted a pattern in the fraudulent call center attacks. They are primarily targeted at senior citizens. It could be for a number of reasons, something that is beyond the scope of this article. But the point is that seniors need to be careful. The preventive measures are easy to understand but harder to follow. Rely on your instinct. BPO agents out for the kill will surely betray signs for you to be on your guard. Always remember to exercise your right to hang up on a call. If you feel threatened, call for the police immediately. Better safe than sorry!
