Common Phone Scams: How to Identify and Avoid Phone Fraudsters

Indeed, in the current and very interconnected world, the phone is something we cannot do without. It connects us to friends and families, delivers commercial and personal services, handles our financial transactions, and provides fundamental information. However, the use of phones nowadays has a disadvantage whereby phone scammers and phone fraudsters are always on the lookout for people to con. For those who are frequently using their phones, it is very crucial to understand how to distinguish and avoid being attacked by these phone fraudsters and scams; they keep on developing new scams.

In this article, we will briefly review the phone fraud types, how to recognize such telephone frauds, and what to do to ensure you do not become the next phone fraud victim. We will also spill details like how to report a scam phone number and whether phone scammers can utilize your phone number in such instances.

The Rise of Scams Over The Phone

While some fraud has existed for decades, recently the forms of scams have morphed into more advanced devices and are difficult to trace. In a recent case, these fraudsters were impersonating trusted individuals, like government officials, bankers, or technical representatives, in an effort to convince victims into revealing personal information, making abnormal payments, or installing malware on their devices.

It is estimated that millions are targeted and become the victim of a phone scam each year, costing targets several thousands and, at times, even millions of dollars. From fraudsters calling and impersonating the IRS to a phony charity fundraiser to tech support scams, the ways in which people get bilked by phone scammers are pretty much endless.

Common Phone Scams to Watch Out For

There are many types of phone scams, each designed with different tactics to deceive and defraud a victim. Some of the common phone scams that one ought to watch out for include, among others:

1. IRS Tax Scam

The next most popular but malicious telephone trick is the IRS tax scam. One of the most common types of IRS scams is when telephone fraudsters impersonate IRS employees, informing the victims that they are eligible for a refund or that they owe back taxes, penalties, or interest. Bogus lawyers may demand their clients produce money for bail, immigration issues, or other legal matters as a precondition to winning the case. The fraudster always requests payment in cash, through money transfer, or by the use of gift cards.

How to Spot an IRS Tax Scam?

The IRS will not call you on the phone and threaten to arrest or incarcerate you for not paying what they claim you owe. Regarding tax, the Internal Revenue Service provides written communication once it demands to be paid. Also, the IRS will never request a payment using gift cards or any wire transfers.

2. Tech Support Scam

Phone fraudsters play the roles of representatives from one of several leading technology companies, such as Microsoft, Apple, or Amazon, with the purpose of accessing your device: computer or phone. The catch is that your gadget has a virus or some security problem. They can also ask you to give them access to your PC remotely or can ask you to download any such software, which actually gives them control over your system through which they steal sensitive data.

How to Identify Tech Support Scam?

No company will call you cold and offer to provide technical support. If you receive such a call from a so-called technical support group, just hang up and call the company through their website or customer service.

3. Bank or Credit Card Scam

Other phone scams pretend to be from your bank or credit card company to access your financial accounts. Con artists call, claiming a problem on the account, and may cite some fraudulent activity or security breach. They can ask for your account number, your PIN, or other sensitive information to “verify your identity” or “clear up the problem.”

How to Identify Bank or Credit Card Scams?

No bank or credit card company will ever call asking for sensitive information. If one does, hang up and call your bank at a phone number listed on their website—not from the number that called you.

4. Lottery or Prize Scam

In this type of fraud, telephone scammers tell you that you are a winner of a lot of cash, a lottery, or a certain prize, but before it is processed, you have to pay taxes, processing fees, or some charges. There is usually a high demand that the candidate must pay for the amount sent to him/her in order to cash the won prize money.

How to identify a Lottery or Prize Scam?

Legitimate lotteries don’t require that you make any upfront payment in order to receive your prize. And if you never entered that lottery, then most likely, it is a fraud. Just hang up and report the incident.

5. Romance Scam

Romance scams have recently begun to proliferate with the rise of online dating. Here, fraudsters establish an online or telephone relationship with a victim, earning the trust of the said victim over time. Once the targeted victim is at ease, the scammer will concoct a personal crisis—a medical emergency or even financial trouble—and then ask for money to try to help them.

How to Identify a Romance Scam?

If somebody contacts the target by social media, even by phone, declaring instant love or deep affection, and sooner or later starts asking for money—more often than not in urgent situations—it is a sure scam.

6. Mobile Payment App Scams

Such types of scams are becoming increasingly popular due to the increasing use of mobile payment applications such as PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle and other digital wallet services. In Mobile Payment App Scams, scammers use fraudulent techniques to steal money from smartphone users who are totally unaware of the scam. Along with money, fraudsters aim to lure personal information and account credentials from such helpless users.

How to Identify Mobile Payment App Scams?

You should always strive to be a step ahead of such online payment app scams. With simple awareness skills such as setting up a multi-factor authentication or a PIN, and before submitting any payment, double-check the recipient’s information to make yourself double sure to send your money to the right person.

Also, beware of imposters—meaning not to get fooled by a fake personality trying to be a loved one, or a needy one asking you for money to deal with an emergency. There’s a full list of step-by-step instructions guiding you not to become a victim and easy ways to spot mobile payment app scams.

7. Debt Collection Scam

These phone scammers identify themselves as debt collectors and call up their victims with proof that they have to pay a certain company or institution a certain amount of money. To make the victim pay as soon as possible, they make threatening calls in aggressive tones, threatening legal action or ruining the credit score.

How to Identify Debt Collection Scam?

Real debt collectors will send written notices before they call. If you get a phone call from any debt collector, request they send the details of your debt in writing and verify the legitimacy of the claim by calling the company to which you actually owe money. Never commit to a payment without verification that the claim is legitimate.

8. Phishing Phone Calls

Phishing phone calls are apparently one of the most severe types of phone scams. In these calls, scammers attempt to elicit sensitive information from you, such as a password, social security number, or credit card number. They may even introduce themselves as coming from your bank, a government agency, or even a popular company that requires you to update your personal information.

How to Identify Phishing Phone Call Scam?

Never disclose one’s personal information over the phone unless the call is initiated by him. Most phishing calls over the phone would contain an urgent tone, be it threatening or offering some incentive, which leads to lowering one’s guard and impelling one to make quick decisions.

Can Scammers Use Your Number?

The common question asked is whether the phone scammers have the potential to utilize your phone number to penetrate their fraudulent activities. The short and sweet answer would be that yes, phone scammers can misuse your phone number, but not really in the way one would think.

Scammers can show your phone number to make it look as though they are calling from your number or some other number you know. This is called “number spoofing,” and that may make detection by the recipient that the call is fraudulent a little more complicated. Additionally, scammers can use your number in attempts to trick others into thinking they are you. That is why one should be very particular and careful about his or her phone number not to share it online or through calls.

If you think your number has been compromised or is being spoofed, call your phone carrier to inquire about any steps they can take from their side to prevent misuse of your number.

How to Report a Scam Phone Number?

If you have received a fraudulent call, it is very important that you report the incident so that the authorities take the necessary action and others do not fall into the trap of the same fraudster. Now, here is how to report a scam phone number:

1. Complain to the FTC: You can even file a complaint for scam calls with the Federal Trade Commission in the United States on their website or by dialing 1-877-382-4357. You’ll create a record of the scam that can assist an investigation.
2. Report to Your Phone Carrier: Many phone service providers offer services through which you can directly report fraudulent calls through their customer service or website. They may block or flag the number.
3. Report to Local Authorities: You may wish to report the incident to your local law enforcement or the consumer protection agency in charge of your country if you have lost money or personal information because of a scam.
4. Utilize a Call Blocking Application: Some apps use heuristics technologies to identify and block scam phone numbers. Services such as Truecaller, RoboKiller, or Hiya allow for automatic detection and blocking of fraudulent calls in performance.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Telephone Scams

The best way to deal with phone fraudsters is to remain very careful and work hard to prevent them from conning you. Here are some practical tips for avoiding phone scams:

• Don’t Answer Unknown Numbers: If there is a call from a number you do not recognize, ignore the call, and let it go to the answering machine. They don’t where it matters most they make a call and leave a message if it’s that important.
• Be Cautious with Personal Information: Never give your personal or financial details to anyone who calls you, even if they say it is an emergency.
• Hang Up on Suspicious Calls: Any call that makes you feel uneasy or pressurizing, then you should disregard it and end the call.
• Use Call Blockers: Use an application for managing unwanted calls or simply activate these options that are available with your phone company.
• Trust Your Instincts: Always hang up the phone if you feel there is something wrong with the call you are on.

Conclusion

This fraud issue is growing day by day, and these fraudsters are getting smarter at extracting sensitive information from people or even getting them to make payments. Be alert, and you will save yourself from such scammers. Of course, you can help yourself much better in protection if you remain cognizant of the signs that denote fraudulent telephone calls. Remember, in case you ever find yourself being targeted by any such scam, do report it immediately to the proper authorities to stop these crooks from targeting other people.