IT’S A RIP-OFF! HERE’S THE TIPOFF

How to know something is a rip-off:

• The caller is more excited than you are.
• The caller demands an immediate answer but refuses to send you anything in writing.
• You must pay fees or buy a product before you can collect your prize or obtain credit.
• You are asked for credit card or bank account numbers, or copies of personal documents – but you get nothing in writing.
• You can only send payment by wire service or by courier.
• The price for a product is much less than the price for the same product on the open market.
• You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing the use of your bank account – often to deposit cheques or transfer money.
• You receive an unexpectedly large cheque.
• Your business is invoiced for supplies or directory listings you did not order.