A "verification call" is typically used in order to verify that the prospect has succumbed to an earlier pitch. During such calls which may be recorded the telemarketer induces the victim to say that they agreed to send money in order to purchase the product, rather than to qualify for the prize. This acts as a disclaimer and a hedge against prosecution.

Only experienced telemarketers are allowed to reload customers. Telemarketers are required to indicate on their sales order forms when a customer is a reload along with the other sales data.

One "reloader" accumulated a wealth of experience from having worked eight years in the telemarketing industry at companies using comparable schemes. In fact, he was proud of the fact that he had been the top reloader at almost every company where he had worked. Things were no different at CDC where he quickly rose to the top, producing $443,209 of the $2,677,000 generated in the nine months he worked there.

Bleed Them Dry

Customers that are successfully reloaded are referred to as "reloads" and "mooches." Mooches are people who "just can't say no", some of whom send money twelve or more times. This pattern of "reloading" continues until the fraud victim has no more to give, monetarily or psychologically. A sample conversation which displays the "sympathetic concern" shown by a reloader determined to bleed an elderly lady dry:

"I'm trying to tell you. I have no more money. I don't have any. "

"I'd say, number one, you better drop that tone with me. "

"No, I don't mean it that way. I'm just trying to say I don't have any more. "

"Well, there's something you could do about it."

"I said I am sorry because I can't help it. I can't do anything about it, sir. "

"Well, you could take your credit card down and get a cash advance on that."

"I hear what you're saying. I wish I could do it. "

"Well, you better start listening to what I'm saying. "

" I don't know how to come up with it really. I really truly don't ."

"Well, if we can just approve this thing for the sixteen hundred dollars."

"My cards are maxed out. I'm not kidding."

"Look !, I don't wanna sound like a hard nose."

"I know you have to do what you have to do."

"How much too much is that?"

" Well they just sent me a shut off notice for my electricity. I came up with that."

"Hey, I don't need the whole sob story of every single nickel you ever spent."

"But I don't even have a savings account any more."

"Well you could go to the bank and you could sign for a loan."

Too Late to Save

Through months or years of small wins and numerous purchases they manage to keep your hopes up that one day you will win the big one, which will make up for your earlier spending. They tell you the names of other winners and make it sound like you're the only one who hasn't claimed a major prize yet.

Seniors tend to have a finite amount of money that is unlikely to be replenished in the event of fraud and abuse.The result is a panic that is well known to con artists who have developed schemes to take a "second bite" out of those who have already been victimized.

Though the desire to make up lost financial ground is understandable, all too often the result is that unwary senior citizens lose whatever savings they have left in the wake of the initial scam.

It may be difficult to understand how someone could repeatedly give money to con artists, but for some victims, responding to fraudulent offers or investments is a repetitive form of behavior —much like an addiction. For others, such as lonely elders, the only form of social contact they have may be with fraudulent telemarketers, and experienced con artists target them for just that reason.

Ninety-nine percent of the reload calls CDC made were to people over the age of 60, and ninety percent of the calls were made to people over the age of 70. These individuals need help to break the continuing cycle of victimization.

No Recollection

When one victim was first contacted he was told that he had won a car. He eventually agreed to send a check for $274 to cover taxes and the cost of shipping. He received nothing. He later wrote an additional check to one of the telemarketing companies for $735 but could not even remember doing so.

He was then called by a successor company and told that he was a guaranteed winner of three-of-five fabulous prizes, prizes grander even than those of the earlier company. This time the telemarketer faxed him a list of the prizes and assured him that his cash winnings would cover the amount of the taxes and fees.

He agreed to send in $1895 and wrote two checks totaling this amount. Later on he was again contacted, told that he had won four-of-seven listed prizes, promised that he had won at least $1000 in cash, and told to send in $947. He did so; and as in all of the preceding cases, he received nothing.

Even The Winners Lose

In one case, where the scammers were induced to finally award cars to long-playing "winners", (people who had paid over $75,000 each), they acquired the vehicles at a substantial discount because they were known to be "lemons" suffering hurricane flood damage.

"Congratulations, you have won a new car, you just have to pay the taxes of $5000".