Scammers tend to come at you from everywhere. They can come through the mail, over the phone, or even in person. This article will look at how scammers try and get at you through the phone. These people are insidious, so it’s important to be aware of their tactics.
There are many different types of phone scams. Some of the most common include:
Can You Hear Me?
One common phone scam is what’s known as the “Can You Hear Me?” scam. In this type of scam, the caller will try and get you to say “yes” to a question. They may ask something like, “Can you hear me?” or “Are you the homeowner?”.
Once you say “yes,” they will record your voice and then use it to sign you up for things or make unauthorized charges. This is because many companies require verbal confirmation for things like this.
The best way to avoid this scam is to just hang up if the caller asks you to confirm something with a “yes.” Don’t engage with them in conversation, and don’t give them a chance to record your voice.
The Fake Charity Scam
Another common phone scam is the fake charity scam. In this type of scam, someone will call you pretending to be from a charity. They will try and get you to donate money to their cause.
They may even say that they are from a legitimate charity, such as the Red Cross or UNICEF. However, these organizations will never call you out of the blue asking for donations.
If you want to donate to a charity, do your research first. Go to their website and look for their contact information. Then call them directly to donate. Don’t give your credit card information to someone who calls you out of the blue.
The Fake Debt Collector Scam
This scam is particularly heinous because it tries to scare the victim into paying money that they may not even owe. In this type of scam, someone will call you pretending to be a debt collector. They may say that you owe money for a past-due bill or credit card payment.
They may threaten to sue you or have you arrested if you don’t pay up immediately. They may even give you a fake case number or reference an imaginary law.
If you get a call like this, ask for the name and number of the collection agency. Then hang up and call the company directly to verify the debt. Don’t give any personal information or money to someone who calls you out of the blue like this.
How to Protect Yourself From Phone Scams
There are several general things you can do to protect yourself from phone scams.
Do a Reverse Phone Lookup
These can be a life saver if you want to know more about who is calling you. With a reverse phone lookup, you can put in the number of the person who is calling you and get information on them. This includes their name, address, and even a map of where they live.
This service can be especially useful if you’re getting calls from a number you don’t recognize. If the caller is a scammer, doing a reverse phone lookup can give you the information you need to report them.
Use a Call Blocker
If you’re getting repeated calls from a number you don’t want to hear from, you can use a call blocker. This will stop the calls from coming through to your phone.
There are several different call blocker apps available, both for iPhone and Android. Some of the most popular include:
– TrueCaller
– Hiya
– RoboKiller
Each of these has different features, so you can find one that fits your needs.
File a Report
If you’re the victim of a phone scam, you should file a report with the FTC. This will help them investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
You can file a report online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.
The Bottom Line
Phone scams are becoming more common. But there are many things you can do to protect yourself.
Trust needs to be earned, and this should be doubly the case with people you don’t know.
If someone calls you for money or personal information, just hang up. And if you get repeated calls from the same number, use a call blocker app to stop them from getting through to you. Above all else, just stay vigilant.