Investment Fraud
You receive an unsolicited call from an unknown salesperson.
A business is selling an "investment opportunity," usually located out of state.
Investments commonly offered include penny stocks, oil and gas leases, precious metals and rare coins.
Buyers are told they must decide and send money quickly; overnight delivery service is often hired to pick up payment immediately.
Warning Signs
The salesperson promises an incredible profit -- "20 percent annual return."
The company has an out-of-state business address without a local P.O. Box mailing address.
The buyer is pressured to make a fast decision.
Seller makes a small first sale to gain credibility, with the goal of extracting larger amounts of money from the buyer in the future.
Steps to Take
You can always hang up the phone.
Consult with a trusted financial planner, stock broker or banker before making any new investments.
Remember, experts estimate that telemarketing fraud accounts for $10 billion in investor losses yearly.