Your Communication

The Kansas No-Call Act allows you to register your residential telephone and personal cell phone numbers so that you will not receive unsolicited telemarketing sales calls. As a general rule, these telemarketing laws do not apply to calls of a charitable nature.

Kansas Telemarketing Laws

• Prohibit calls to residential telephone and personal cell phone numbers on the Kansas No-Call List.
  Two exemptions include:
  • A company may call you in response to your express request.
  • A company may call you if you have done business with the company within the preceding 18 months and have not requested that the company stop calling you.
• Require telephone solicitors to promptly terminate a call if you give a negative response.
• Prohibit telephone solicitors from obtaining payment through a professional delivery, courier or other pickup service unless you have the opportunity to inspect the goods being delivered to you prior to payment being collected.
• Prohibit sending information by fax or computer to a consumer after the consumer requests orally or in writing that such communications cease.
• Prohibit the withholding of the display of the telemarketer's number from a caller identification service when that number is being used for telemarketing purposes and the telemarketer's equipment is capable of allowing the display.

Federal Telemarketing Laws

• Prohibit the sending of unsolicited faxes that contain commercial messages.
• Prohibit the use of recorded solicitation to a consumer's home unless the consumer requests the call, has an existing business relationship with the company, or the company is a non-profit corporation.
• Prohibit requesting payment by wire transfer.

If you believe a telemarketer has violated any of the above laws, contact the Attorney General's Office with the name, address and phone number of the telemarketing company, the name of the company whose product or service is being offered, the date and time of the call.

Registering for the Do-Not-Call list is easy! Choose one of the options below to register online or by phone.

Once your phone number is registered, it does not expire. Your number will remain on the list unless you call and request removal.

• Call 1-888-382-1222
• Register Online

Helpful Resources

• No-Call FAQs for Consumers
• No-Call FAQs for Businesses

Fraudulent telemarketers often target unsuspecting consumers for scams. They may sound very friendly. Some even claim to be friends or family members in need of assistance. These are just ploys to try to get your money or personal information.

The best thing to do when you get these calls is to hang up immediately. Even better, if you have a caller ID system, don't answer calls from numbers you do not know.

If you are not already registered on the Do-Not-Call list, learn how to register.

There are many cell phone service providers looking for your business by advertising their reliability, customer service reputation and cell phone deals. How do you choose the right one for you?

Compare cell phone companies

Generally speaking, prepaid services from smaller carriers benefit people with modest data needs. Heavy data users, or those wanting multiple lines for their family, will most likely be happier with one of the major nation-wide carriers. Read reviews from current customers to learn what first-hand experiences they've had with the carriers and the model of the phone. Ask your friends what phone company they use and if they are satisfied.

Questions to ask before signing any cell phone contracts

How much data do I really need? Be wary of "unlimited data." Most people don't actually use that much data and end up paying for a more expensive plan than they need. Your data usage depends on your Wi-Fi access, how much you plan to stream on your phone and if you plan to use your phone for gaming. Ask your provider how you will be notified if your data runs low and how much you will be charged if you exceed your monthly limit.

What areas does your company provide service? Ask the salesperson to note, on a map, where you can have enough signal strength to make and receive calls. Do your own research by reading customer reviews of those who live in your area to determine the reliability and strength of the coverage being offered. Many providers' zip code maps don't take into account small dead zones in your neighborhood.

How long am I contracted to do service with this company? Many companies now offer no long term contracts. This helps you as a consumer to be able to switch carriers if a better deal is offered. Many consumers report having a lower bill by shopping the competitive market. If you do opt for a contract-based service, be sure to ask about any Early Termination Fees (fee for canceling before the end of your contract.)

What additional fees will be included on my bill? It is not uncommon for your cellular bill to have an additional $10 - $20 worth of fees and surcharges. Examples of these additional taxes, fees, and surcharges include City, County, State, and Federal Taxes, Number Portability Recovery Fee, and E911 Recovery Fee.

Steps for Successful Cell Phone Ownership

Research the differences between iOS and Android phones. Determine if you're willing to pay more for higher-end options or if you just need the basics. Various screen sizes, display and color quality will make a big difference depending on how you plan to use your phone. Be sure you understand how much storage you are purchasing so you don't end up with a phone you are unable to utilize to its full potential.

Read the contract, along with the terms and conditions before signing. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand something in the contract. Also, if the representative promises something that's not in your contract, make them put it in writing. This will help avoid future "he said, she said" arguments.

Check your monthly billing statements closely. If you don't think you are being billed correctly, call customer service immediately to clarify the terms of your plan. If the bill is still incorrect, ask for the representative's name and ID number, and ask them to put a note on your account detailing the dispute.

It may seem cheaper to work with a dealer or reseller of the phone service, but it can cost you money in the long run. The consumer is usually required to sign an additional agreement with the dealer or reseller, as well as one with the service provider, forcing you to pay two Early Termination Fees if you cancel service before your contract ends.

Now, you can lease a new phone like a car, pay it off in interest-free installments, or buy it outright and enjoy a lower monthly bill.

Be cautious when considering the purchase of cellular phones or service via the Internet, auction sites or third party resellers. Numerous third party dealers state they can offer cheaper discounts on phones, but you may pay in the long run. The phone you purchase may not end up working with your service or there may be hidden activation and termination fees involved.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to research the company before doing business with them. Useful information may be found from Internet search engines, the Better Business Bureau or the Kansas online business entity search.

"Cramming" refers to unexplained charges on your phone bill for services you never ordered, authorized, received, or used. Sometimes a one-time charge for entertainment services will be crammed onto your phone bill. Other times, monthly recurring charges are crammed onto your phone bill. Examples of cramming charges include club memberships and telecommunications products or service programs, such as voice mail, paging, and calling cards.

Most of these scams occur through the use of an 800 number. Others are initiated by contests or sweepstakes. They are all deceptive, and you should dispute the charges.

How to protect yourself from Cramming

• Check your phone bill each month. Look for company names you do not recognize, calls you did not make and charges for services you did not authorize.
• Do not return calls to unfamiliar numbers.
• Do not enter contests or sweepstakes requiring you to sign an entry form. Also, make sure the fine print does not relate to an unwanted telephone service.
• Pay close attention to voice prompts on calls you receive. They may be asking you to accept charges for the call or other services.
• Carefully read all forms and promotional materials, including the fine print before signing up for telephone services or membership in organizations that have solicited you.
• Be wary of hotlines that offer "free minutes." By calling these numbers you may get billed a monthly membership fee.

Thanks to the Internet, you can conduct business, catch up with friends, purchase products from every corner in the world and reserve travel plans all from the comfort of your home. The flip side is that the Internet, and the anonymity it affords, can also give online scammers and identity thieves access to your computer, personal information, finances and more.

Tips for online safety

• Protect your personal information (name, social security number, account numbers, etc.). To minimize your risk of identity theft, don't share this information unless you know how it will be used and protected. Don't reply, or click on, emails asking for this information.
• Know who you're dealing with. When shopping online, look for the dealer's physical address and telephone number. Call to make sure the number works. Before you download free software, make sure you read the small print to avoid spyware.
• Understand any offers you take. Read the fine print and ask the company for more information about products or services if needed. A legitimate company will be willing to provide this, a scammer won't. Make sure you know the total costs, delivery date and any cancellation or return policies. Print out the information so you have documentation.
• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall. Update them all regularly. Look for anti-virus software that removes or quarantines viruses and anti-spyware that can undo changes the software makes to your system. Make sure your firewall is set up properly and turned on.
• Be sure to set up your operating system and web browser software properly. Select security settings high enough to reduce your risk of being hacked and make sure to regularly update your system with the latest patches.
• Protect your passwords. Keep your passwords in a secure place, and don't share them on the Internet, over email or on the phone. The longer the password, the better.
• Back up important files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them to a removable disc and store it in a safe place.
• Don't download programs from web sites you're not familiar with. Suspicious sites may contain viruses in their downloaded programs.

Our children represent the future and hold our hopes for a better Kansas. Protecting our children against the fear of crime and from becoming victims of crime must be a law enforcement and community priority.

Technological advancements have made many things in our lives more convenient, including shopping, communicating and learning. Unfortunately the same advances are also exposing our children to new threats from cyber sex predators.

Being a parent today is a difficult job. The Attorney General's Office helps parents learn how to best protect their families online by sharing warning signs of cyberbullying and teaching "chat" language.

Tips for Parents

• Keep the computer in a central location in your home instead of in a bedroom or office if at all possible.
• Know when your children are online and establish parameters for their online activity.
• Set up the Internet account in your name and maintain control of the primary screen name and controlling passwords.
• Contact your Internet Service Provider to set up any parental-control tools that allow you to block certain sites and filter content. Remember: these programs are not a substitute for parental supervision and communication about the Internet.
• Ask your children to show you what they can do online, visit their favorite sites with them and talk about what applications they are using.
• Teach your children to never give their personal information (name, address, phone number, school, hometown) to people they meet online in chat rooms or on bulletin boards.
• Ask your children about their online friends and oversee their chat areas.
• Tell your children about the danger of meeting someone in person who they "met" online. Remind them that not everything they read or see on the Internet is true.
• If you feel it is OK for your child to meet their online friends, insist they bring you along and meet in a public place.
• Talk to your children about offensive or dangerous emails or chats. Tell them to never respond to these messages. Rather than deleting such communications, tell your child to turn off the monitor and tell an adult immediately so they may contact local law enforcement.
• Talk to children about what to do if they see something that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable or confused. Emphasize that it's not their fault if they see something upsetting and that they should tell an adult immediately.
• If you suspect online "stalking" or sexual exploitation of a child, report it to your local law enforcement agency immediately.

You can order all kinds of things from the comfort of your home using the telephone, mail, or a computer. But along with this convenience come common complaints of late delivery, shipment of wrong or damaged items, and hidden costs.

Tips to avoid problems when shopping from home

• Be wary of post office boxes and sellers in other countries. It may be difficult to find the seller to resolve a problem later.
• Know the total price. Make sure it includes all charges, shipping, handling, insurance and taxes. Coupons and other discounts should be properly deducted.
• Make sure you are clear on what you are buying. Watch for words like "refurbished," "reconditioned," "close-out," or "discontinued."
• Give your credit card, debit card, or bank account number only if you're using that account to pay, never to prove your identity.
• Keep a record of your purchase. Keep track of what you ordered, when, the price, and how you paid (check, money order, charge, etc.). Also save any information the seller gives you such as product description, delivery date, cancellation policy, privacy policy, warranties, and order confirmation numbers.
• Keep track of your order. Follow up with the company if package is late or missing.
• It is against the law to require a purchase in order to enter a contest.
• Check the fine print. Any time you place an order or enter a contest, your name, address and telephone number may be sold to other companies. Companies may also charge "restocking fees" for items you wish to return.
• Review your credit card bill carefully to ensure you were charged correctly for your purchases. Promptly report any errors to your credit card company.

An increasing number of consumers are replacing a trip to the pharmacy with a trip on the Internet. While there are online pharmacies that provide legitimate prescription services, there are also some questionable sites that make buying medicines online risky.

Choose an online pharmacy carefully

Do business only with a licensed U.S. pharmacy. Check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to determine if the site is licensed and in good standing. Visit www.nabp.net or call 847-391-4406.

Make sure the pharmacy is registered with the Kansas Board of Pharmacy by calling 785-296-4056.

Avoid the following red flags

• Websites that only offer a limited range of prescription medications, usually the ones that have received large amounts of media attention such as Viagra, Propecia, and Xenical. Also avoid pharmacies advertising "quick cures" and "amazing results."
• Websites that ask you to agree to a Waiver of Liability waiving all your legal rights. Consumers should never agree to a waiver of liability in order to receive prescription drugs.
• Websites that do not have a VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal on the website. To be VIPPS certified, a pharmacy must comply with the licensing and inspection requirements of its state and each state to which it dispenses pharmaceuticals.
• Websites that offer to sell drugs without requiring a prescription to be sent by your doctor or local pharmacy by mail, fax, or phone.
• For your safety and health, all prescription medications can only be prescribed by a physician who has developed a physician/patient relationship with you which includes an in‑person physical examination. Any company that tries to circumvent these basic laws does not have your best interests at heart.

If you suspect a site is not a licensed pharmacy, report it and any complaints to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Nearly every day, our office hears stories of Kansans whose personal information has ended up in someone else's hands. In today's information age, it is easier than ever for identity thieves to get this information.

Our computers contain a significant amount of personal information. Passwords, financial information and other files are often stored on our hard drives and even on the Internet. Identity thieves may try several different methods to gain access to this information.

People on the Internet are not always who they claim to be. In a phishing scam, an identity thief will send you an email pretending to be your bank, credit card company or another place of business. It may tell you that your password has expired and you need to reply to the email with your old password and new password to reset it. Or the email may contain a link that directs you to a website to change your password. The email and website may look official, even containing your bank's logo. But this is just a scam to gain access to your online banking account.

If you use online banking, always go through your bank's homepage to access your account. Links in emails cannot always be trusted, even if they look official.

Unwanted emails, or "spam," can be more than just an annoyance. They can lead to scams or identity theft. Here are a few simple steps to cut down on your spam, and reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

• Report spam to your email provider. Most email services today have spam filters to send your junk mail to a separate folder. Use the "Report spam" feature offered by your service provider to help strengthen these filters and reduce the amount of spam that ends up in your inbox.
• Consider using multiple accounts. To protect your primary email address from spam, consider using a separate account for online shopping, newsletter or other services that require you to provide an email address. Share your personal email only with trusted friends and family members.
• Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters. The CAN-SPAM Act requires email marketers to include a link to unsubscribe in all emails. These unsubscribe requests must be honored within 10 days.
• Remove yourself from commercial email lists. The Email Preference Service from the Direct Marketing Association allows you to request removal from national email lists. Go to www.dmachoice.org to register the email addresses you wish to have removed.
• File a complaint. If you lost money to a scam in a spam email, file a complaint with the attorney general's office.

Online operators are targeting Kansas citizens by infecting visitors to so-called pirate websites. A study titled "Digital Bait" from the Digital Citizens Alliance showed that visiting content theft sites – websites devoted to illegally distributing movies, music, books or other copyrighted content – was a major source for infecting computers with dangerous malware that can lead to identity theft and other serious financial and privacy harms. The study showed that one in every three content theft sites exposed visitors to malware exploitable by criminals, and that almost half of the malware was "drive-by," meaning the malware was delivered without the user even having to click on a link.

There are many reasons to stay away from content theft sites, and to encourage others in your household to avoid them as well. Protecting yourself from a significant threat of being exposed to malware is an important one.

Information provided by the Digital Citizens Alliance.