60 charged in scam targeting seniors exchange for a large lump sum payment. In reality, victims owed no money. INNEAPOLIS — SixThe indictments charge ty people have been defendants at all levels of charged in a widethe alleged conspiracies, spread magazine telemarMICHAEL PAUL, THE FBI’S SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE IN MINNEAPOLIS including people who keting scam that authoriallegedly led the scheme, ties say netted $300 million years, the defendants used monthly subscription costs. recourse for recovery,” company owners, call cena network of dozens of In reality, the callers had Michael Paul, the FBI’s from more than 150,000 ter managers, telemarketspecial agent in charge in elderly and vulnerable peo- fraudulent magazine sales no existing relationship ers and others. Those who companies and with victims and signed Minneapolis, said. ple nationwide, led the scheme provided telemarketing call them up for expensive, new Some of the defendants the U.S. attorney’s > RELATED centers to carry magazine subscriptions. As are also accused of using a the companies software office in Minnesoprograms that tracked out the scam. Em- a result, consumers ended “cancellation” script that ta announced Beware of orders, sales, and other ployees allegedly up having multiple subtargeted people who had last week. Social Security scam customer information. used deceptive scriptions with fraudulent been previous victims. U.S. Attorney The U.S. attorney’s office sales scripts to magazine companies. According to the indictErica MacDonald PAGE 12 says the fraudulent comtrick people into “Using a tactic like telements, these defendants called the scam making large or marketing magazine sales, took advantage of victims’ panies were operating in the largest elder Clip-n-save Minnesota, Florida, Georrepeat payments these deceitful scam artists desperation to make the fraud scheme in Scam Stoppers tips gia, Mississippi, California, to the companies. bilk hard-earned money subscriptions stop and the country. Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, The indictments from their aging victims — offered to consolidate and MacDonald PAGE 13 Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, allege that many leaving so many financially cancel existing subscripsaid the 60 defenof the defendants devastated in their retiretions and pay off an alleged New Mexico, North Carolidants face a host na and Arkansas. “outstanding balance” in of charges, including con- used a fraudulent “renew- ment years and without al” script in which the telespiracy, mail fraud, wire marketers falsely claimed fraud, and violating the to be calling from the Senior Citizens Against victim’s existing magazine Marketing Scams Act of subscription company with 1994. The defendants are a phony offer to reduce from 14 states and two Why Should I Canadian provinces. “Unfortunately, we live Prearrange Services? in a world where fraudsters It’s the right thing to do for you and your are willing to take advanfamily. Here are five important reasons to plan tage of seniors, who are your funeral now: often trusting and polite. It’s my hope that this prose1. You’ll protect your family from cution is a call for vigilance unnecessary pain & expense. and caution,” MacDonald 2. You’ll say goodbye in a way that uniquely said in a statement. The indictments and reflects your personal style — not someone other court documents else’s. say that over the last 20 3. You’ll lessen the financial burden. Our easy payment plans make it easy for you to comfortably pay for your funeral over time, at today’s prices, so your family won’t have to find the money later. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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“Using a tactic like telemarketing magazine sales, these deceitful scam artists bilk hard-earned money from their aging victims — leaving so many financially devastated in their retirement years and without recourse for recovery.”
What You Need to Know About Prearranging
VOTE
JIM KLEEBURG Experienced leadership for Nez Perce County
LT-584991
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You’ll minimize disputes between your well-meaning relatives.
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