When you think of actions that could cause you to lose some money or even your life savings, answering the phone probably isn't one of them. Yet if you're age 60 or older, you may be a target for people who sell fake products and services by phone.

Fraudulent telemarketers may think that older people are more trusting and polite toward strangers. Older women living alone are special targets of these scam artists.

Six Ways to Protect Yourself
Here are some suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission about how to stay safe the next time you're on the phone with a telemarketer:

• Don't give your credit card, checking account, or Social Security number to unknown callers.
• Don't pay for something merely because you'll get a “free gift.”
• Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.
• Check out a charity before you give. Ask how much of your donation actually goes to the charity. Ask that written information be sent to you so that you can make an informed giving decision.
• Know the per-minute charge for any 900-number call you make.
• Be cautious of statements that you've won a prize—particularly if the caller says you must send money to claim it.

Get Fewer Telemarketing Calls
A free and easy way to have fewer telemarketers call you is to join the government's National Do Not Call Registry. To register or get more information, visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888- 382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you'd like to register. You should get fewer telemarketing calls within a few months.

You May Hear from Us
Please note that Paramount may call members for a variety of reasons. For example, if you have a certain disease, you could be contacted by one of our Health Coaches or Case Managers. We also track member satisfaction, so another vendor could call to ask if you're satisfied with Paramount.

If you're in doubt when contacted by a Paramount representative, you can verify the reason he or she is phoning by calling Paramount Member Services at 1-419-887-2525 or 1-800-462-3589, or 1-888-740-5670 for the hearing-impaired.

Get Tip-Offs on Rip-Offs—for Free!
What are the hooks telemarketers use to gain your confidence? Find out with the free brochure Putting Telephone Scams ... On Hold. Visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site at www.ftc.gov and search for the brochure's title. Then you can print out your own copy.