Mike Fuljenz, America's Gold Expert, Cautions About Buying or Selling With Unknown Dealers

BEAUMONT, Texas, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "It's important to do your homework before selling or buying gold and silver coins," cautioned nationally known rare coin and bullion dealer and numismatic consumer protection advocate Michael Fuljenz in a Crime Stoppers story interview with KFDM-TV Channel 6 in Beaumont, Texas.           

Fuljenz (http://www.MikeFuljenz.com) was asked by the TV station to provide expert consumer education advice in conjunction with a story about a dealer from Nederland, Texas who reportedly paid only $16,000 for nearly $250,000 of coins sent to him by an 82-year old California woman.            

"Before you buy or sell rare coins or bullion coins check whether the dealer has professional affiliations within the industry, such as membership in the Professional Numismatists Guild (http://www.PNGdealers.com), and if the dealer has received awards or recognition from peers in the coin industry. Also check the company's ratings with the Better Business Bureau (http://www.BBB.org)," advised Fuljenz, who is known as America's Gold Expert.

"If you are the victim of a numismatic crime, such as theft, not receiving merchandise you've paid for or not receiving payment for items you've sold, in addition to reporting it to local law enforcement agencies I suggest also contacting the Numismatic Crime Information Center (http://www.NumismaticCrimes.org). It's a nonprofit organization founded by former Pantego, Texas Police Chief Doug Davis to assist law enforcement officers nationwide in the investigation of crimes against collectors and dealers. Another excellent resource is http://www.Coin-Fraud.com."

In the past year Fuljenz helped Texas Rangers and the Runnels County Texas Sheriff's Department identify and locate four suspected coin thieves and recover a portion of the stolen collection; assisted with updates to the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on buying and selling gold; and provided expert input for creation of a new Texas Precious Metal Dealer Registration law.

His consumer protection activities in recent years also include assisting The Examiner newspaper with an award-winning investigative series about so-called "hotel buyers" who may only offer pennies on the dollar when purchasing coins and jewelry from the public. 

Fuljenz has received awards from both the Press Club of Southeast Texas and the Numismatic Literary Guild for his consumer protection writings and broadcasting work.

A video of the recent KFDM-TV report can be seen online at http://www.kfdm.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/kfdm_vid_1175.shtml. Fuljenz' advice to members of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) on protecting gold and other valuable assets from thieves is available at http://amac.us/how-to-protect-your-gold-from-thieves.

Mike Fuljenz, a nationally known rare coins and precious metals expert, is a former authenticator, grader and educational seminar instructor for the Congressionally chartered American Numismatic Association. He is a frequent interview guest on radio and TV news and personal finance programs, as well as a community leader in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas.

For additional information, contact Mike Fuljenz at 409-861-4807. Visit online at http://www.MikeFuljenz.com.

Contact:

Mike Fuljenz
409-861-4807
[email protected]

SOURCE Michael Fuljenz