Stop unwanted telephone calls
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft and telemarketing fraud is to stop businesses and charities from selling your name.

To remove your name from most marketing lists, follow this checklist:

• Don't play direct mail sweepstakes or talk to telemarketers.

• Sign up for the Florida No Call List for both your home and cell phones by calling 1-800-HELPFLA (1-800-435-7352).

• Register also with the National Do Not Call Registry at www.ftc.gov/donotcall or by calling 1-888-382-1222. You must re-register every five years.

• Tell phone companies and others with whom you do business to put you on their "DO NOT CALL LISTS" - your right under a Federal Rule.

• "OPT OUT" of credit-reporting agencies' unsolicited credit card offers at www. optoutprescreen.com or 1-888-567-8688 - you have to enter your social security number.

• Call the customer service numbers for your credit card (s) and ask to "OPT OUT" of marketing programs, including "convenience checks."

• Reduce junk e-mail and mail by contacting the Direct Marketing Association at Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 282, Carmel, New York 10512 (see attached form) or online at www.dmaconsumers. org/consumerassistance. There is a $1 fee to be added to the Mail Preference Center.

• Make an annual charitable giving plan and give to just a few charities once a year.

• Request that your name not be shared with other organizations. Ask all other charitable solicitors to remove your name from their mailing lists.

For assistance call the Lee County Sheriff's Office fraud line at 477-1242.

CASE, Communities Against Senior Exploitation, is a Partnership of the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the community to prevent elder financial exploitation ¦