A new angle on telemarketing scams could cost consumers big dollars in collect calls.

When Leslie answered the phone the operator informed her that she had a collect call. Before Leslie could respond, she heard a voice in the background calling, “Leslie, I need help.”

Thinking it might be a friend or relative in trouble, she agreed to accept the collect call.

The caller kept Leslie on the phone for ten minutes telling her that she had won $2.5 million in a sweepstakes contest. In order to collect, Leslie should go to the nearest Western Union office and send $620 in taxes that had to be paid before she could receive her money.

Leslie realized she was about to be scammed, so she called her local Attorney General and reported the incident.

Lucky for Leslie the only thing she lost was ten minutes of her time and a bill for the collect call. So the next time you get a collect call, wait and ask the operator to identify the caller before you allow your desire to help someone lead you into a setup.