DENTAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Credit repair/loans: "We can repair your credit and get you a loan!"

Many companies promise, for an up-front fee, to repair credit or lend money, and then fail to provide the advertised services. It is against the law for a telemarketer to ask for an advance fee to repair your credit or get a loan.

Recovery rooms: "We know you got taken by a telemarketer and for a fee, we can help you recover the money you lost!"

1. You may be scammed a second time. It is against the law to ask for an advance payment to recover monies lost to telemarketers.
2. Tips to protect you from telemarketing fraud.
3. Tell the caller that you do not wish to be called again, and hang up the phone. It is illegal for interstate telemarketers to call you if you have asked to be placed on their "do not call" list. Calling times are restricted to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. Interstate telemarketers must tell you if they are making a sales call, the name of the seller, and what they are selling before they make their pitch. If it's a prize promotion, they must tell you that no purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win.

Never buy at the time of the sales pitch. Always take your time making a decision.

Legitimate companies won't pressure you to make a fast decision. Never respond to an offer you don't thoroughly understand. Never send money or give out your credit card or bank account number to unfamiliar companies. Don't believe that giving some money to a telemarketer "just one time" will make him or her go away. You will probably receive even more calls.

Don't do business by phone with unfamiliar companies. Legitimate businesses understand when you want more information about their offer or company. Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you feel the telemarketer is pressuring you, hang up.

Check with the Better Business Bureau and the State of Hawaii Office of Consumer.