Defending Against Call-Based Scams What You Need to Know

As more people rely on mobile phones as their primary means of communication, call-based scams have become increasingly common. You may receive calls from unknown numbers claiming you owe taxes or have an unpaid bill in an attempt to trick you into providing sensitive information or wiring money. Unfortunately, fraudsters have gotten savvier in disguising their calls to appear legitimate. However, by following some key tips, you can defend yourself against call scams and avoid becoming a victim.

How Do They Work?

Call-based scams typically start with an unsolicited phone call. The scammers use increasingly sophisticated techniques to hide their true identity and location while contacting potential victims.

Caller ID spoofing

The scammers often use caller ID spoofing to mask their actual phone number and display a fake one on your caller ID to appear more legitimate. They may even spoof a number from a trusted organization or local area code to increase the chances of you answering the call.

Robocalls

Robocalls are pre-recorded phone messages used to reach thousands of people quickly. Scammers use them to spread urgent messages in an attempt to prompt recipients into immediate action, like providing personal information or making a payment. These calls frequently claim there is an issue with one of your accounts or services that requires your attention.

Live callers

Some scams start with a live caller who will try to gain your trust to obtain sensitive data or get access to your devices. They may claim to be from tech support, customer service or even a government agency. The callers are trained to sound professional and may already have some of your personal details to appear authentic.

What to do

The best defense is to be vigilant. Never provide personal information or account access to unsolicited callers. Hang up immediately if a call seems suspicious. Be wary of urgent requests for money or account information. Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive data over the phone. Report scam calls to help identify and block them in the future. Call blocking tools can also help reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive. Staying informed about the latest scam techniques will make you less vulnerable to call-based fraud.

Common Types of Call-Based Scams to Watch Out For

As smartphones become increasingly advanced, scammers have developed new ways to target users through calls and texts. It's important to be aware of the common types of call-based scams so you can avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft. One frequent scam is the IRS impersonation scam. Fraudsters pose as IRS agents and claim you owe back taxes or penalties. They may threaten legal action or arrest if you don't pay immediately. The IRS will never call out of the blue to demand immediate payment or threaten you. Tech support scams are also popular. Scammers pose as tech support staff from companies like Microsoft and claim your device has been compromised. They try to gain remote access to your phone or trick you into paying for fake tech support services. Legitimate companies don't provide unsolicited tech support. Robocalls promoting "free" trips, prizes or extended car warranties are common scams. They try to get your personal information or charge hidden fees. No reputable company gives away valuable prizes or services for free. These types of unsolicited calls and messages should be avoided. Call spoofing, where scammers disguise the number they are calling from to appear legitimate, is frequently used for these types of scams. Be extremely wary of unsolicited calls from numbers similar to your own or from companies you do business with. When in doubt, hang up and call the company directly to verify the call.

By understanding the most common call-based scams, remaining vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited calls and messages, and never providing sensitive information or payments over the phone, you can help protect yourself from fraud. If you receive a scam call, report it to authorities to help prevent others from becoming victims.

Red Flags How to Identify a Potential Scam Call

When receiving calls on your smartphone, be on alert for signs that the call may be a scam. Scammers use clever tactics to appear legitimate, so vigilance is key.

Unfamiliar Number

If the call is from an unknown number, especially one with an unusual area code, it may be a scam. Legitimate companies will rarely call from numbers you don't recognize. Be wary of answering or calling back unknown numbers.

Demand for Immediate Action

Scammers create a false sense of urgency to prompt you into quick action before you have time to verify the details. Requests for sensitive information, payments or purchases right away are red flags. Legitimate companies will allow time for verification. Say no to high-pressure tactics.

Too Good to Be True Offers

Be skeptical of calls promising prizes, lottery winnings or inheritance that seem too good to be true. These are likely scams to trick you into sending money or providing personal details. Remember that legitimate sweepstakes don't require fees or payments to claim prizes.

Personal Information Requests

Never provide sensitive data like social security or credit card numbers to unsolicited callers. Legitimate companies will not ask for this information over the phone. Providing such details puts you at high risk for identity theft and fraud.

Call Spoofing

Scammers often use call spoofing to mask their true number and make it appear the call is from a legitimate company. Be wary even if the caller ID shows a familiar name or local number. Hang up and call the company directly to verify. Call spoofing is illegal, so the real company will not be calling you.

Staying alert for these red flags can help defend against the majority of scam calls targeting smartphones. When in doubt about a call, hang up. It is always best to call companies directly at verified phone numbers to confirm requests or claims before taking further action. Protecting personal information and learning to spot the signs of fraud can make you a less attractive target.

Protecting Yourself Tips to Avoid Falling Victim

To avoid becoming a victim of call-based phone scams, there are several protective measures you can take. By being proactive and staying vigilant, you can minimize your risk of fraud or identity theft via unsolicited calls.

Screen Unfamiliar Numbers

Do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize. Let them go to voicemail. Scammers often spoof legitimate company phone numbers to appear authentic. Check online or with the company directly to verify the call’s validity before calling them back or providing any personal information.

Be Wary of Alarmist Messages

Be suspicious of any unsolicited call claiming there is an urgent issue requiring your immediate attention, such as problems with accounts, billing, prizes or technical support. Reputable companies do not conduct business this way. These are scare tactics used to prompt you into providing sensitive data or sending money.

Never Provide Sensitive Information

Never provide your Social Security number, credit card number, bank account information, passwords or any other sensitive data to an unverified caller. Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive information over the phone.

Do Not Send Money or Gift Cards

Never wire money, provide prepaid debit card information or send gift cards to someone claiming you won money or need to pay fees or taxes to claim a prize. These are common tricks used in phone scams. No real sweepstakes or lottery asks winners to pay upfront fees.

Report Suspicious Calls

If you receive a call you believe to be a scam, report it to local law enforcement and the FTC or FCC to help crack down on phone fraud. Provide details about the call, number that appeared on your caller ID and what the caller said. The more information provided, the better equipped authorities will be to pursue legal action against scammers.

By following these best practices, you can effectively reduce the chances of becoming a victim to the deceitful tactics employed in phone scams and fraud. Staying vigilant and trusting your instincts can help keep you and your information safe. If something sounds too good to be true over the phone, it likely is not legitimate. When in doubt, hang up.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Call

If you receive a suspicious call on your mobile phone, there are a few steps you should take to protect yourself.

Do Not Share Sensitive Information

Never provide personal details like your social security number, credit card numbers, or banking passwords to an unverified caller. Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive data over the phone.

Ask For Caller Details

Politely ask the caller for their name, company name, street address, and a call-back phone number. Legitimate callers will readily provide this information. Be wary of callers who refuse to give details or who provide information that does not match caller ID.

Verify Caller Identity

Do an online search for the company name provided by the caller to confirm they are a real organization. Check that the street address and phone number also match. If anything seems amiss, hang up immediately.

Report Suspicious Calls

Report unverified callers asking for personal information or money to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, and local law enforcement. Provide details about the call like the number that appeared on caller ID, names used, and information requested. Reporting scams helps prevent others from becoming victims.

Be Cautious Of Caller ID

Caller ID spoofing technology allows scammers to mask the true source of a call, displaying fake names and numbers to appear legitimate. Do not trust caller ID alone.

Hang Up If Needed

If at any point you feel threatened or sense the call is a scam, simply hang up. You do not need to engage further or provide an explanation. Ending the call is the safest approach.

Remaining vigilant and verifying the identity of unsolicited callers are the best defenses against suspicious phone calls and potential scams. Following these best practices can help safeguard your personal information and finances.

Conclusion

As technology continues to advance, so too do the techniques used by scammers and fraudsters. Call-based scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often using spoofed numbers and automated messages to try and trick you into providing sensitive information or wiring money. By understanding the common signs of these scams, verifying unknown callers, and trusting your instincts, you can help protect yourself. Staying vigilant and spreading awareness about these malicious practices is how we work together to outsmart the scammers. Though technology may aid these criminals, we have the power to defend ourselves through knowledge and community. Stay safe by staying informed. The battle against call scams is one we can win if we stand united.