Phone Call Scams are rising, and it is essential to be aware of how to protect yourself. Scammers use all sorts of tactics, from impersonating government officials to offering fake deals to acquire personal information or money from unsuspecting victims.
Contents
- 1 How Can Scams Be Avoided?
- 1.1 1. Utilize Call Blocking Features
- 1.2 2. Lottery Scams
- 1.3 3. Never Give Out Private Information
- 1.4 4. Don’t Click Links From Unknown Sources
- 1.5 5. Use Spoofing Protection
- 1.6 6. Don’t Believe Caller’s Claims
- 1.7 7. Money or Gift Cards
- 1.8 8. Robocalls
- 1.9 9. Don’t Pay For Free Services
- 1.10 10. Be Wary of Unfamiliar Numbers
- 2 Conclusion
How Can Scams Be Avoided?
No matter where you go, scammers are always lurking. They wait for the right opportunity to take advantage of unsuspecting victims, especially on the phone. It’s essential to be aware of these pitfalls and know how to protect yourself from potential fraudsters.
Here are 10 ways you can avoid becoming a victim of Phone Call Scams:
1. Utilize Call Blocking Features
Utilize call-blocking features on your phone. This will help prevent unwanted calls and block any suspicious numbers trying to reach you. This will allow you to block unknown numbers, reducing your risk of receiving scam calls from spoofed numbers which are difficult to identify as suspicious.
We can also use iCall which is a call recorder automatic tool for recording calls and using that information in court, for instance, or as evidence.
2. Lottery Scams
Be wary if someone claims that you have won a lottery prize or a large sum of money, as this may be an indication that a scammer is trying to gain access to your bank account details or other sensitive information for them to steal your money.
3. Never Give Out Private Information
Never give out any personal or financial information, including your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or bank account details, over the phone unless you initiated the call and trust the person on the other end.
Be wary of calls that sound too good to be true or offer too much money in exchange for little effort; chances are it is one of the telephone scams. If an unexpected caller is persistent, hang up immediately and contact your local authorities if necessary.
4. Don’t Click Links From Unknown Sources
One of the most important ways to stay safe from all sorts of phone frauds is not to click links sent from unknown sources. Clicking these links can lead to a malicious website that can take control of your computer or phone, giving the sender access to your personal information and any banking accounts or credit cards associated with it.
Therefore, you mustn’t open emails, texts, or other messages from people you don’t know. If something looks suspicious, delete it without opening it.
5. Use Spoofing Protection
Spoofing is when a caller hides their true identity and location by manipulating the caller ID information on their phone.
Install an app that will help detect fraudulent numbers or ones associated with spam calls, so you can be sure who you’re speaking with before answering any questions or giving out any personal information.
6. Don’t Believe Caller’s Claims
One of the most important rules for avoiding phone call scams is not to believe the claims made by the caller. Scammers often create stories that are designed to sound believable to convince people that they are legitimate.
They may claim that you have won a prize, owe money, or even have access to special offers. No matter what these individuals say, it’s essential only to believe their words once they can provide proof.
7. Money or Gift Cards
Always be wary of urgent requests for money or gift cards. If someone calls demanding immediate payment in cash or gift cards, this should raise alarm bells, and you should hang up immediately.
8. Robocalls
If a caller won’t identify themselves or the message sounds suspicious, feel free to hang up. Please don’t fall for tricks like being asked to press 1 for more information; this indicates that it’s a scammer trying to get your personal data!
9. Don’t Pay For Free Services
Don’t pay for services that should be free, such as tech support or debt relief services. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay money upfront to receive assistance with tech problems or your financial obligations.
10. Be Wary of Unfamiliar Numbers
If you don’t recognize the number that is calling you, it is best not to answer as it may be a scammer trying to get your personal details. Even if they leave voicemails with urgent messages asking for your immediate attention and action, it’s important not to respond unless you know who is calling and why.
Conclusion
By following the 10 tips in this article, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of these criminals. Remember that scammers rely on deception and fear to manipulate their victims, so remain calm and avoid hanging up if something doesn’t seem right. Remember that knowledge is power when it comes to preventing phone call scams.
