High school students' knowledge of telemarketing fraud tactics in the U.S.A

Telemarketing fraud is a rapidly increasing problem with widespread economic implications for consumers and society. Given the extent of the problem, government agencies and consumer organizations are involved in educational efforts aimed at reducing telemarketing fraud. But does education make a difference? The effects of an educational experience on the knowledge of high school students with regard to telemarketing fraud tactics were explored in a controlled setting, in this study. Analyses of pre‐ and post‐test results for treatment and control groups revealed an increased knowledge of telemarketing fraud tactics from a lesson on legitimate and fraudulent telemarketing practices. Even after controlling for age, gender and rural/urban residence a significant difference in average test scores continued to exist.