How To Invest In Rare Coins Without Getting Ripped Off


Buying rare coins can be a satisfying hobby and can also be a good investment. However, it can also be very risky, especially for newcomers. Investing in rare coins carries no guarantee of a profit. Buyers can lose most of their initial investment if they become victims of fraudulent sales practices.

Experienced coin collectors always say, “Read the book before you buy the coin.” This statement refers to the important yet seldom-discussed wisdom that, in the world of rare coin collecting and investing, it is incredibly EASY to be conned, mislead, or simply misinformed. All of which will most likely end up costing you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

If you intend to buy rare or bullion coins for investment, your best protection is to spend some time learning about the coins you are being asked to buy or are considering buying. Traditionally, most investment gains in rare coins have gone to coin collectors who have taken the time to carefully study various aspects of coins such as their rarity, grading, market availability, and price trends.

Rare coin investment success is the result of prudently acquiring coins of selected quality, proven rarity, and established numismatic desirability. Many careful coin buyers study coins for some time before they buy their first rare coin. Success can also be enhanced by researching rare coin dealers.

Rare coins have historically protected or preserved wealth as strong inflation fighters, particularly in situations where paper currency has been seriously weakened. Any time paper money is threatened; rare coins can protect your wealth much like investments in gold bullion.

The beauty of rare coins can be enjoyed much as any other work of art. They are also a very private form of investment not subject to as much government scrutiny as other forms of investments are. Rare coins are easy to store and are nearly indestructible if taken care of properly. Rare coins are also insurable. Rare coins truly offer a form of portable wealth which can be moved from place to place very quickly and easily.

But buying rare coins is not without its own perils. If you aren’t careful about buying rare coins, you can easily be ripped off in the process. Your best safeguard is knowledge.

How To Protect Yourself

If you seriously intend to buy rare coins or bullion coins for investment purposes, your best protection is to spend the necessary time learning about the coins you are being asked to buy or are considering buying. Traditionally most rare coin investment gains have went to seasoned collectors, who have taken the time to carefully study the various aspects of rare coin such as rarity, grading, market availability, and price trends. Over the years, rare coin investment success has been the result of prudently acquiring coins of selected quality, proven rarity, and established numismatic desirability. Careful coin buyers study coins for a length period of time before they even consider buying a single coin. Success will also be enhanced by researching rare coin dealers as well as researching the coins.

If you receive any type of solicitation about investing in rare coins, keep the following points in mind:

• Use common sense when evaluating any rare coin investment claims and do not rush into buying. Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true it usually isn’t true.

• Make sure you know the rare coin dealer’s reputation and reliability before you send money or authorize a credit card transaction. If possible, find out how the dealer has been in business. Don’t rely on the company’s claims over the phone. Many fraudulent telemarketers claim to be a member of a professional organization. Contact the organization to verify that they are indeed a member. If you cannot verify their membership, don’t deal with them.

• Do not be taken in by promises and claims that the dealer will buy back your coins at or for more than the price you paid or that the coin’s grade is guaranteed. No reputable coin dealer will make these kinds of claims. The rare coin market is just too volatile to make these kinds of guarantees.

• Once you receive your coins, it is wise to get a second opinion from a trusted source about grade and value. Before you buy, find out what remedies you will have if the second opinion differs significantly from the original dealer’s claims. For example, some companies offer a 30-day return period if you are not satisfied with your purchase. Always check the information you are given by the company. Will they refund the full purchase price or will you be given a credit to be used to purchase other coins from them. Do they charge you a restocking fee?

• Check the grades of any coins you buy with an independent source. Be cautious about grading certificates and “slabs,” especially those furnished by coin dealers. Reputable third-party grading services encapsulate or “slab” a coin in tamper-resistant holders with a grading number and other pertinent information about the coin. The slab protects the coin from further damage and reduces the chance of having a coin of a lesser grade substituted for one of a higher grade.

• If you are using a grading certificate or a slab as a second opinion, be sure you understand what they really represent. Coin grading is not an exact science, and a certificate or slab only represents the professional opinion of that particular coin grading service. Find out if the grading service is indeed independent of the rare coin dealer. There have been several instances of fraudulent coin dealers using their own in-house coin grading service and passing it off as an independent coin grading service. Find out what coin grading standard the company uses, and what is the company’s reputation is in the industry. Not all coin grading services are created equal.

• Comparison shop. You will need to be concerned not only with the coin’s grade, but with the price as well. Consult several dealers before you buy. Check coin prices in leading coin publications to make sure you are not being over-charged. Several publications list the representative wholesale values for fine coins of various grades and issues. These values are generally higher than the prices a consumer can expect to receive if he or she were to immediately sell their coins and generally lower than the retail prices a consumer would normally be charged to buy the coins. Consult these publications prior to trusting any dealer’s representations about the current value of the coins. If the dealer’s advertised price is much lower than the prices listed in the coin periodicals, then the dealer is probably misrepresenting the quality or grade of the coins. Always take physical possession of the coins you buy. Never trust the dealer’s promises to store them for you.

How To Identify Fraudulent Coin Sellers

The fact is, it is almost impossible to identify fraudulent sellers of rare and bullion coins because they often go to great lengths to look like legitimate coin dealers. Fraudulent sellers frequently have elegant offices in the financial districts of major cities. The often employ “account executives” or “investment counselors” which are nearly always just glorified salespersons. They will produce slick looking brochures on investment strategies. They will often boast of having coin experts on their staffs, or claim to be the largest or finest dealers of rare coins and bullion. Because these fraudulent dealers mimic reputable sellers, it is extremely important to check the information you are given by these types of rare coin dealers.

Fraudulent sellers of rare coins and bullion use many of the same techniques and methods that legitimate rare coin dealers use to attract buyers. They advertise in newspapers and magazines and sometimes meet prospective investors through financial planners and insurance agents. Others use boiler room telemarketing solicitations to reach prospective customers. For example, you may receive a call after having responded to an advertisement. Telemarketing fraud has grown significantly over the last few years. As such you should be especially suspicious about any unsolicited telephone offers to buy rare coins or bullion.
Recently, some fraudulent sellers have started to use multi-level marketing systems, which are often thinly disguised pyramid schemes to sell rare coins and bullion. Below are some of the sales tactics used by dishonest and fraudulent sellers and dealers.

False Grading Claims

Normally, the value of a rare coin is determined by its rarity and grade. It is very important that you make sure that the rare coins you buy are graded properly. The grade of a coin is an expert opinion that is used to describe the quality and condition of a given coin. Since coin grading is not an exact science, the grading process involves a certain degree of subjectivity. Factors such as “eye appeal” and “overall appearance” are a part of this subjective process of grading coins.

As a result, the grade assigned to a given coin will likely vary even between legitimate dealers, especially in Mint State grades where distinctions in condition are much more subtle. These fine distinctions translate into large differences in the final value or price of a rare coin. This subjectivity of coin grading means that there is some inherent risk in rare coin investing. Fraudulent sellers take advantage of this subjectivity by intentionally inflating the grades of the coins they sell. They will charge prices many times over what the coin is really worth.

For example, you might pay $500 for an 1882-S Morgan dollar, that was described as having a high grade because of its excellent condition. Later, you might find that the accurate grade for this coin is two or more grades lower. This means the coin may only be worth $50. Even with independent coin certification services, false grading is still a problem.

False Slab Certification Problems

Many coin collectors and financial planners rely on third-party grading or certification services to verify a coin’s grade before they buy it. These services “certify” coins as to grade and normally encapsulate the coins in a plastic holder aka a “slab” with some form of grading certificate. Coin collectors can still lose money even when a certification or grading service is used. Certification services provided by fraudulent or dishonest coin dealers are too often a part of their fraudulent sales schemes and are intended to mislead buyers. In some cases, even certificates from legitimate services can be misleading. Some certification services use looser grading standards than those generally accepted by the more respected grading services.

As a result the coins these companies certify may actually be worth less than other coins of the same grade. Before you buy any certified coin, check its current value in one of the special pricing publications. Some fraudulent dealers will use an old certificate to mislead a buyer into believing that a coin’s grade is accurate by today’s current standards. Always check the date of any certificate or slab you are offered and investigate the certification service before you make the purchase.

False Claims About A Coin’s Current Value

Some dishonest or fraudulent dealers actually grade their coins accurately, but mislead buyers about the actual value of their coins. They intentionally overprice their coins, charging significantly more than a coins actual value even though the coin has been accurately graded. For example, They might charge $5,000 for an accurately graded $10 Indian gold coin, which has a current retail value of only $1,850. False claims about value are becoming increasingly common in rare coin fraud. Despite popular claims from the rare coin industry, there is still a great deal of risk involved in investing in rare coins. If you are not knowledgeable about rare coins, you could easily lose all or part of your investment.

False Appreciation Claims

Dishonest dealers often mislead buyers by quoting appreciation rates for their rare coins from an index formerly complied each year by Salomon Brothers, a New York Investment Bank. These quotes show appreciation of 12 percent to 25 percent a year. However, the Salomon index was based upon a list of twenty very rare coins, while the coins sold by the fraudulent dealers are more common coins that are not likely to appreciate at the same rate. At one time or another almost all dealers, legitimate and dishonest alike, have used the Salomon quotes. As such, you must be particular about the coin dealer you choose to do business with. There is no guarantee that any rare coin will appreciate in value.

The Truth About Bullion coins

Technically, bullion coins are not “rare” coins because their values are determined principally by their precious metals content, rather than by rarity or condition. Some of the best known bullion coins are the U.S American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and the South African Krugerrand. These coins are bought and sold worldwide through banks, brokerage firms, gold dealers, and precious metals dealers.

Bullion coin prices change daily depending on the spot market price for precious metals. Fraudulent sellers of bullion coins often overprice their coins, or mislead buyers about the coin’s precious metals content. When purchasing bullion coins, call several reputable dealers or brokerage firms to compare prices and be sure to ask about any additional hidden costs or charges. Fraudulent sellers also mislead buyers into buying “coins” that are not really coins at all. Make sure the bullion coins you purchase are not imitation medals created by fraudulent “mints.” There are some private mints that issue their own imitation bullion coins that resemble bullion coins produced by the U.S. Mint. Make sure you know what you are buying. As always your best protection is to study the bullion market before you buy, and be sure to choose your dealer carefully.

Where To Go For Help

If you have a problem with a coin dealer, and the dealer will not resolve the problem to your satisfaction, there are a number of places you can get help from. Some dealers will resolve disputes through binding arbitration by an independent third party. This may be through one of their professional organizations. Consumer protection organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission, are often interested in getting your complaint information to build cases against fraudulent dealers. Although most government offices are not able to resolve individual disputes, they can usually give you some sound advice about how to proceed with your dispute. Most coin organizations can help you if the dealer is a member of their organization.

Coin Organizations

The American Numismatic Association is a non-profit organization of coin collectors, but many coin dealers are also members. The ANA provides many educational programs for both novice and experienced collectors. If you have a complaint about an ANA member, you can write to the association at 818 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

The Industry Council for Tangible assets is a national trade association of coin dealers and precious metals dealers. The ICTA urges its members to subscribe to a program of binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration association. It also keeps records of other programs of arbitration or mediation its members adhere to. If you have a question whether or not an ICTA member subscribes to the AAA program or another, you can write to the ICTA at P.O. Box 1365, Severna Park, MD 21146.

The Professional Numismatists Guild is an organization of coin dealers and numismatists. Membership in the PNG is rather selective. To qualify, a dealer must have a minimum number of years of experience and meet a minimum net worth requirement. The PNG also requires its members to submit to binding arbitration in order to resolve complaints filed by consumers or other dealers. If you have a complaint against a PNG member, you can write to the PNG at 3950 Concordia Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.

Other Agencies

The Better Business Bureau is interested in the business practices of companies in its area. Contact the BBB in the city where the coin dealer is located.

Your state consumer protection agency or State Attorney General’s Office may also be of help. Contact the state consumer protection agency or the Attorney General’s Office in the state where the coin dealer is located. The U.S. Postal Inspector should also be contacted if you have a complaint and you ordered, received or paid for your coins through the mail.

The Federal Trade Commission works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov . The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

 

How To Invest In Rare Coins Without Getting Ripped Off


Buying rare coins can be a satisfying hobby and can also be a good investment. However, it can also be very risky, especially for newcomers. Investing in rare coins carries no guarantee of a profit. Buyers can lose most of their initial investment if they become victims of fraudulent sales practices.

Experienced coin collectors always say, “Read the book before you buy the coin.” This statement refers to the important yet seldom-discussed wisdom that, in the world of rare coin collecting and investing, it is incredibly EASY to be conned, mislead, or simply misinformed. All of which will most likely end up costing you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

If you intend to buy rare or bullion coins for investment, your best protection is to spend some time learning about the coins you are being asked to buy or are considering buying. Traditionally, most investment gains in rare coins have gone to coin collectors who have taken the time to carefully study various aspects of coins such as their rarity, grading, market availability, and price trends.

Rare coin investment success is the result of prudently acquiring coins of selected quality, proven rarity, and established numismatic desirability. Many careful coin buyers study coins for some time before they buy their first rare coin. Success can also be enhanced by researching rare coin dealers.

Rare coins have historically protected or preserved wealth as strong inflation fighters, particularly in situations where paper currency has been seriously weakened. Any time paper money is threatened; rare coins can protect your wealth much like investments in gold bullion.

The beauty of rare coins can be enjoyed much as any other work of art. They are also a very private form of investment not subject to as much government scrutiny as other forms of investments are. Rare coins are easy to store and are nearly indestructible if taken care of properly. Rare coins are also insurable. Rare coins truly offer a form of portable wealth which can be moved from place to place very quickly and easily.

But buying rare coins is not without its own perils. If you aren’t careful about buying rare coins, you can easily be ripped off in the process. Your best safeguard is knowledge.

How To Protect Yourself

If you seriously intend to buy rare coins or bullion coins for investment purposes, your best protection is to spend the necessary time learning about the coins you are being asked to buy or are considering buying. Traditionally most rare coin investment gains have went to seasoned collectors, who have taken the time to carefully study the various aspects of rare coin such as rarity, grading, market availability, and price trends. Over the years, rare coin investment success has been the result of prudently acquiring coins of selected quality, proven rarity, and established numismatic desirability. Careful coin buyers study coins for a length period of time before they even consider buying a single coin. Success will also be enhanced by researching rare coin dealers as well as researching the coins.

If you receive any type of solicitation about investing in rare coins, keep the following points in mind:

• Use common sense when evaluating any rare coin investment claims and do not rush into buying. Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true it usually isn’t true.

• Make sure you know the rare coin dealer’s reputation and reliability before you send money or authorize a credit card transaction. If possible, find out how the dealer has been in business. Don’t rely on the company’s claims over the phone. Many fraudulent telemarketers claim to be a member of a professional organization. Contact the organization to verify that they are indeed a member. If you cannot verify their membership, don’t deal with them.

• Do not be taken in by promises and claims that the dealer will buy back your coins at or for more than the price you paid or that the coin’s grade is guaranteed. No reputable coin dealer will make these kinds of claims. The rare coin market is just too volatile to make these kinds of guarantees.

• Once you receive your coins, it is wise to get a second opinion from a trusted source about grade and value. Before you buy, find out what remedies you will have if the second opinion differs significantly from the original dealer’s claims. For example, some companies offer a 30-day return period if you are not satisfied with your purchase. Always check the information you are given by the company. Will they refund the full purchase price or will you be given a credit to be used to purchase other coins from them. Do they charge you a restocking fee?

• Check the grades of any coins you buy with an independent source. Be cautious about grading certificates and “slabs,” especially those furnished by coin dealers. Reputable third-party grading services encapsulate or “slab” a coin in tamper-resistant holders with a grading number and other pertinent information about the coin. The slab protects the coin from further damage and reduces the chance of having a coin of a lesser grade substituted for one of a higher grade.

• If you are using a grading certificate or a slab as a second opinion, be sure you understand what they really represent. Coin grading is not an exact science, and a certificate or slab only represents the professional opinion of that particular coin grading service. Find out if the grading service is indeed independent of the rare coin dealer. There have been several instances of fraudulent coin dealers using their own in-house coin grading service and passing it off as an independent coin grading service. Find out what coin grading standard the company uses, and what is the company’s reputation is in the industry. Not all coin grading services are created equal.

• Comparison shop. You will need to be concerned not only with the coin’s grade, but with the price as well. Consult several dealers before you buy. Check coin prices in leading coin publications to make sure you are not being over-charged. Several publications list the representative wholesale values for fine coins of various grades and issues. These values are generally higher than the prices a consumer can expect to receive if he or she were to immediately sell their coins and generally lower than the retail prices a consumer would normally be charged to buy the coins. Consult these publications prior to trusting any dealer’s representations about the current value of the coins. If the dealer’s advertised price is much lower than the prices listed in the coin periodicals, then the dealer is probably misrepresenting the quality or grade of the coins. Always take physical possession of the coins you buy. Never trust the dealer’s promises to store them for you.

How To Identify Fraudulent Coin Sellers

The fact is, it is almost impossible to identify fraudulent sellers of rare and bullion coins because they often go to great lengths to look like legitimate coin dealers. Fraudulent sellers frequently have elegant offices in the financial districts of major cities. The often employ “account executives” or “investment counselors” which are nearly always just glorified salespersons. They will produce slick looking brochures on investment strategies. They will often boast of having coin experts on their staffs, or claim to be the largest or finest dealers of rare coins and bullion. Because these fraudulent dealers mimic reputable sellers, it is extremely important to check the information you are given by these types of rare coin dealers.

Fraudulent sellers of rare coins and bullion use many of the same techniques and methods that legitimate rare coin dealers use to attract buyers. They advertise in newspapers and magazines and sometimes meet prospective investors through financial planners and insurance agents. Others use boiler room telemarketing solicitations to reach prospective customers. For example, you may receive a call after having responded to an advertisement. Telemarketing fraud has grown significantly over the last few years. As such you should be especially suspicious about any unsolicited telephone offers to buy rare coins or bullion.
Recently, some fraudulent sellers have started to use multi-level marketing systems, which are often thinly disguised pyramid schemes to sell rare coins and bullion. Below are some of the sales tactics used by dishonest and fraudulent sellers and dealers.

False Grading Claims

Normally, the value of a rare coin is determined by its rarity and grade. It is very important that you make sure that the rare coins you buy are graded properly. The grade of a coin is an expert opinion that is used to describe the quality and condition of a given coin. Since coin grading is not an exact science, the grading process involves a certain degree of subjectivity. Factors such as “eye appeal” and “overall appearance” are a part of this subjective process of grading coins.

As a result, the grade assigned to a given coin will likely vary even between legitimate dealers, especially in Mint State grades where distinctions in condition are much more subtle. These fine distinctions translate into large differences in the final value or price of a rare coin. This subjectivity of coin grading means that there is some inherent risk in rare coin investing. Fraudulent sellers take advantage of this subjectivity by intentionally inflating the grades of the coins they sell. They will charge prices many times over what the coin is really worth.

For example, you might pay $500 for an 1882-S Morgan dollar, that was described as having a high grade because of its excellent condition. Later, you might find that the accurate grade for this coin is two or more grades lower. This means the coin may only be worth $50. Even with independent coin certification services, false grading is still a problem.

False Slab Certification Problems

Many coin collectors and financial planners rely on third-party grading or certification services to verify a coin’s grade before they buy it. These services “certify” coins as to grade and normally encapsulate the coins in a plastic holder aka a “slab” with some form of grading certificate. Coin collectors can still lose money even when a certification or grading service is used. Certification services provided by fraudulent or dishonest coin dealers are too often a part of their fraudulent sales schemes and are intended to mislead buyers. In some cases, even certificates from legitimate services can be misleading. Some certification services use looser grading standards than those generally accepted by the more respected grading services.

As a result the coins these companies certify may actually be worth less than other coins of the same grade. Before you buy any certified coin, check its current value in one of the special pricing publications. Some fraudulent dealers will use an old certificate to mislead a buyer into believing that a coin’s grade is accurate by today’s current standards. Always check the date of any certificate or slab you are offered and investigate the certification service before you make the purchase.

False Claims About A Coin’s Current Value

Some dishonest or fraudulent dealers actually grade their coins accurately, but mislead buyers about the actual value of their coins. They intentionally overprice their coins, charging significantly more than a coins actual value even though the coin has been accurately graded. For example, They might charge $5,000 for an accurately graded $10 Indian gold coin, which has a current retail value of only $1,850. False claims about value are becoming increasingly common in rare coin fraud. Despite popular claims from the rare coin industry, there is still a great deal of risk involved in investing in rare coins. If you are not knowledgeable about rare coins, you could easily lose all or part of your investment.

False Appreciation Claims

Dishonest dealers often mislead buyers by quoting appreciation rates for their rare coins from an index formerly complied each year by Salomon Brothers, a New York Investment Bank. These quotes show appreciation of 12 percent to 25 percent a year. However, the Salomon index was based upon a list of twenty very rare coins, while the coins sold by the fraudulent dealers are more common coins that are not likely to appreciate at the same rate. At one time or another almost all dealers, legitimate and dishonest alike, have used the Salomon quotes. As such, you must be particular about the coin dealer you choose to do business with. There is no guarantee that any rare coin will appreciate in value.

The Truth About Bullion coins

Technically, bullion coins are not “rare” coins because their values are determined principally by their precious metals content, rather than by rarity or condition. Some of the best known bullion coins are the U.S American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and the South African Krugerrand. These coins are bought and sold worldwide through banks, brokerage firms, gold dealers, and precious metals dealers.

Bullion coin prices change daily depending on the spot market price for precious metals. Fraudulent sellers of bullion coins often overprice their coins, or mislead buyers about the coin’s precious metals content. When purchasing bullion coins, call several reputable dealers or brokerage firms to compare prices and be sure to ask about any additional hidden costs or charges. Fraudulent sellers also mislead buyers into buying “coins” that are not really coins at all. Make sure the bullion coins you purchase are not imitation medals created by fraudulent “mints.” There are some private mints that issue their own imitation bullion coins that resemble bullion coins produced by the U.S. Mint. Make sure you know what you are buying. As always your best protection is to study the bullion market before you buy, and be sure to choose your dealer carefully.

Where To Go For Help

If you have a problem with a coin dealer, and the dealer will not resolve the problem to your satisfaction, there are a number of places you can get help from. Some dealers will resolve disputes through binding arbitration by an independent third party. This may be through one of their professional organizations. Consumer protection organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission, are often interested in getting your complaint information to build cases against fraudulent dealers. Although most government offices are not able to resolve individual disputes, they can usually give you some sound advice about how to proceed with your dispute. Most coin organizations can help you if the dealer is a member of their organization.

Coin Organizations

The American Numismatic Association is a non-profit organization of coin collectors, but many coin dealers are also members. The ANA provides many educational programs for both novice and experienced collectors. If you have a complaint about an ANA member, you can write to the association at 818 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

The Industry Council for Tangible assets is a national trade association of coin dealers and precious metals dealers. The ICTA urges its members to subscribe to a program of binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration association. It also keeps records of other programs of arbitration or mediation its members adhere to. If you have a question whether or not an ICTA member subscribes to the AAA program or another, you can write to the ICTA at P.O. Box 1365, Severna Park, MD 21146.

The Professional Numismatists Guild is an organization of coin dealers and numismatists. Membership in the PNG is rather selective. To qualify, a dealer must have a minimum number of years of experience and meet a minimum net worth requirement. The PNG also requires its members to submit to binding arbitration in order to resolve complaints filed by consumers or other dealers. If you have a complaint against a PNG member, you can write to the PNG at 3950 Concordia Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.

Other Agencies

The Better Business Bureau is interested in the business practices of companies in its area. Contact the BBB in the city where the coin dealer is located.

Your state consumer protection agency or State Attorney General’s Office may also be of help. Contact the state consumer protection agency or the Attorney General’s Office in the state where the coin dealer is located. The U.S. Postal Inspector should also be contacted if you have a complaint and you ordered, received or paid for your coins through the mail.

The Federal Trade Commission works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov . The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.