The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides the following tips to help consumers avoid being scammed:

• Register your land-line phone and cellular phones with the National "Do Not Call" database by calling 888-382-1222 or visiting http://www.ftc.gov/donotcall.


• Don't pay for a "free" gift.


• Don't fall for an offer that requires you to send money in advance to claim a prize or enter a contest.


• If a solicitation looks like a government document, throw it away-the government does not solicit.


• Document your transactions, and keep the envelopes—they are proof that the mails were used for fraudulent purposes.


• Never give out your credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or Social Security number to an organization you don't know.


• Never use a credit card or give a checking account number for a charitable contribution unless you contact the charity.


• Check out any suspicious organization with the Attorney General or Better Business Bureau in your state or the state in which the company is located before you send money for any product or service.

Contact the FTC if you want more information or if you think you've been scammed. Call toll-free: 877-382-4357 (or 202-326-2222). You also may contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Mail Fraud Complaint Center, toll-free at 800-372-8347 or at http://www.usps.com.