Hold the Line! 9 Common Phone Scams To Avoid
In our increasingly connected world, scams are on the rise. While we may already know not to click on sketchy links online, phone scams can be very convincing because they prey on our feelings of trust toward other people. Total losses to phone scams in the U.S. are estimated at a whopping $39.5 billion for the past year alone. That’s a lot of scams! Knowledge is power, and knowing how to identify a scammer is key. Here are some of the most tricky phone scams to help you avoid them:
1) IRS impersonators. If someone calls claiming to be from the IRS to collect money, hang up right away, it’s probably a scam. Con artists use fear tactics and threaten to send police if you don’t pay up. They’ll also try to steal your identity. Be aware, the IRS will only get in touch with you by mail and will never ask for wire transfers.
2) Tech support. If someone claims to be from a tech company and asks if you have computer problems, just say no! These scammers won’t fix the problem—they’ll make it worse by installing malware. Ignore these types of calls. Instead, install good antivirus software and never click on suspicious links.
3) Calls from the bank. If your bank calls to confirm legitimate transactions, feel free to give a yes or no. But don’t disclose additional information. Fraudsters may rattle off your credit card number, expiration date and ask for the security code. Hang up and call the customer service number on the back of the card to confirm the call.
4) Cryptocurrency and QR code. A caller asks for money in the form of cryptocurrency and sends you a QR code with their digital address embedded in it. If you scan the code, the crypto is sent to the robber, and you lose your money. Fraudsters like crypto because it’s an instant transfer of funds and there’s no way to get your money back!
5) Employment scam. You’re a caregiver who advertises your services on an online job site. A phone scammer offers you employment and sends you your first paycheck. Your new boss then asks you to send money to help purchase assisted care items needed for the job. You send your money, your paycheck bounces, and your “crooked employer” disappears.
6) “Can you hear me?” You answer the phone and there is a pause before speaking. The caller starts by asking, “Can you hear me?” Scammers are looking for a ‘yes’ so they can record your answer to use as a claim that you agreed to pay for their illegal program. How to avoid it: rephrase your answer to “I hear you just fine.”
7) Congrats lucky winner. If you ever ‘win’ a prize that you didn’t enter—you’re probably being scammed. And, if you did enter, don’t trust a supposed tax collector. Don’t give personal information to anyone claiming you won something, and never send “taxes” or other money before actually receiving payment.
8) Charity donations. When charities, political parties and lobbyists request donations over the phone, show some healthy skepticism. Some will be legitimate. Many will not be. Before you give, you can do a little digging online to figure out if the charity is real by searching on charitynavigator.org.
9) You’ve been called for jury. How the scam works: Some scammers claim they’re from the jury commission. When they ask for your Social Security number to confirm if you’re eligible for jury duty. Don’t give away any information! If being contacted about jury duty, look out for an official letter in the mail, rather than trusting anybody who calls and asks for sensitive information.
Have you received a call from an imposter, maybe someone pretending to be with the IRS or a tech support company this year? If so, you’re not alone. The National Do Not Call Registry was created to stop unwanted calls. This free service gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls and helps prevent scammers from calling you. The service is free, and you can register your home or cell phone number. To register today visit: donotcall.gov.
Resources:
Readers Digest
