The Care Company

empowered caregiving™

The following is a guideline for you, the caregiver. Be alert and cautious. Before you buy anything by telephone, remember:

• Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand requests for information about their company and are happy to comply.
• Before buying, always ask for written material about any offer or charity, and don’t buy anything until you receive them. If the brochures discuss costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. And beware – not everything that is written down is true.
• Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer-protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog group. But know also that not every bad business can be identified through these organizations.
• Obtain a salesperson’s name, and the company name, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before transacting business.
• Do not give money to a charity unless you are familiar with the organization. Just say NO!
• Don’t pay in advance for services. Pay for services only after they have been delivered.
• Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.
• Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.
• Don’t pay for a “free prize.” If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.