Phone Scams: How to Recognize and Avoid Them

Did you know that 20% of scams in 2022 were phone-related? One in three Americans has experienced a scam call at least once in their lives. Phone scams are one of the most prevalent threats around. But you can avoid many of them with sufficient precautions.

In this article, we will examine the warning signs of scam calls and the essential steps to avoid them, so you can safeguard two of the most valuable assets you own—your money and data.

How to Recognize Scam Calls

Scam calls have become exceedingly difficult to identify in recent years. But common telltale signs could help you recognize them quickly.

• Automated calls

Unsolicited automated calls are a definite red flag of a scam. Robocalls are a cheaper and less risky alternative to human-led calls. Besides, fraudsters can launch them in thousands at once, making them a highly efficient medium to reach potential victims. Naturally, robocalls have become a popular choice for fraud-related schemes.

But what kind of warning signs can you expect? Automated scam calls will often request you to press a number to confirm an action. They do this to verify they have reached a human so they can target you for their scams. Even worse, they could ask questions like, “would you like to unsubscribe from this service?” so you may answer yes. Scammers can record voice clips of these simple phrases and use them as evidence of consent to something entirely unrelated. Without your knowledge, they could even use them elsewhere for another scam. 

• Unusual or unexpected calls

If a call from a reputed organization or someone you know seems unusual or unexpected, it is likely an imposter.

For example, you might get a hoax IRS call about an overdue tax when you have already paid your dues on time. Or you could get a fake tech support call claiming your computer is infected with malware. These scammers use familiarity as a weapon to win their victims’ trust.

• Offers and prizes that are too good to be true

If an offer or gift sounds too good to be true, it probably is. According to Federal Trade Commission estimates, Americans lost $255 million in a year to sweepstakes scams. Fake lotteries, discounted travel packages, and promotional offers are also prevalent. Swindlers who initiate these types of fraud rely on large sums of prize money and hard-to-believe deals to tempt their victims.

• Requests for money

Scam callers can pressure you into a wire transfer, cryptocurrency transaction, or gift card payment. They will often use surprisingly convincing tactics for this.

For example, they could appear as a charity asking for a donation. These types of scams are common in times of natural disasters like floods, storms, and wildfires that leave many people distraught.

Scammers may even pose as a loved one in trouble and desperate for money. Or they could impersonate the IRS and demand that you pay an overdue tax to avoid being arrested. Remember, love, fear, and empathy make you human, but they can also make you a victim. Anyone who exploits your emotions to get to your money is likely a con man.

Proven Tips to Avoid Phone Scams

The Federal Trade Commission maintains the National Do Not Call Registry as a free service to protect consumers from telemarketing calls. Registering your phone number with them will allow you to block legitimate telemarketers.

Next, you need to tackle scam calls. The best tool to avoid them is a call-blocking app. These apps generate massive databases by collating numbers their users have flagged. As a result, they are able to automatically block a significant portion of scam calls before your phone even rings.

For the remaining calls that come through, practice extra caution. Here are the essential steps to handle them effectively and ensure your safety.

• Let it go to voicemail.

If you don’t recognize the number, let it ring—it’s as simple as that. Check its current and historical ownership details on PhoneHistory before returning the call, especially if there is no voicemail message. But if you receive a one-ring call, ignore it altogether. 

• Block and report.

If you suspect a call is a scam, block it immediately and report it to the Federal Communications Commission by filing an official complaint. In addition, don’t forget to flag it on your call-blocking app, so they can add it to their scam database and protect users with automatic blocking.

• Do not entertain robocalls.

Avoid responding to automated calls by pressing numbers or with voice confirmations.

• Protect personal data.

Never provide confidential, recognizable, or sensitive information over the phone, even if the voice on the other side seems familiar. Today, scammers can easily change and disguise their voices using technological tools.

• Do not make payments.

Never agree to transfer money based on a phone request, no matter how legitimate it seems.

• Verify authenticity.

Without confirming the authenticity of a caller, do not provide personal information or respond to any other request that could potentially jeopardize your safety. Instead, inform them that you will call back and hang up. Then reach them using their official hotline or a number you have already saved on your contact list. This is an important measure to protect yourself from scams that use number spoofing.

• Keep your emotions in check.

Don’t allow emotions to get in the way. It is natural to panic and transfer money when you think you or a loved one is in trouble. It is equally easy to get carried away in excitement after hearing you have won the lottery. Remain calm and evaluate the information, even if you feel pressured to act quickly.

Conclusion

With sophisticated technology fueling their growth, scam calls have become a growing threat to society in recent decades. But identifying common phone scams is not impossible. Certain glaring signs could easily give away advances of such fraudulent schemes. Educating yourself, practicing caution, and taking necessary safety steps will be essential to ward off these threats and protect you from becoming a victim.