Scam calls are rampant today. Here are the 10 most common scam calls in the US that you need to avoid.
Learn how to avoid these phone scams and protect yourself. Companies making cold calls attempt to sell you something even though you have never done business with them. These calls might be legal or criminal, and it can be difficult to distinguish between a scam call and a cold call.
Ignoring these sorts of calls is your most excellent protection against them. It may not be prudent to prolong a discussion with a con artist since some individuals like doing so. Some scams include voice-recording software, and the more you speak, the more probable it is that you'll say anything the con artists may exploit to conduct unlawful transactions in your name. It is advisable to end the call immediately.
It is helpful to be aware of some of the most common scam calls so you can defend yourself.
1. Scam Calls From the "IRS"
During tax season, telephone scammers imitating IRS officials are more prevalent. They have an authoritative tone and may even offer a badge number. If payment is not paid immediately, they may threaten legal action or imply that the police are on their way to making an arrest.
First, the IRS will not contact you by telephone. That is a strong indicator that it is a hoax. In addition, they sometimes want payment in the form of gift cards, something the IRS would never do. The IRS always initiates contact via mail and rarely calls to demand compensation.
2. Technical Support Scam Calls
In this scam, the caller generally claims to be from a reputable organization, such as Microsoft or Apple, and that they have identified a mistake on the victim's computer.
They will then "correct" the issue by guiding the victim through several actions. The user unknowingly installs software that will provide the caller remote access to their device or facilitate a system takeover. Scammers use it to collect personal information or install ransomware, which needs a ransom payment to decrypt files.
It is ripe for elder abuse since the elderly lack technological expertise. Microsoft's phone calls may seem suspicious to younger individuals, although the elderly may be more receptive. Like in the IRS case, these calls are always bogus. Microsoft and other technology organizations do not conduct unsolicited calls offering technical help.
3. Fake Charity Scam Calls
Charity fraud is frequent after natural disasters or other tragedies. Criminals rely on the willingness of individuals to assist. To prevent donating money to a criminal, do not give money to unsolicited calls for contributions—instead, research using sites such as Charity Navigator and Guidestar to find a respected charity.
4. Lottery Scams
Don't believe it if you get a call saying you have been randomly selected to win a foreign lottery. These calls are fake, and the tipoff is that the caller will say you need to pay taxes or other government fees to collect the winnings.
Ask yourself, "Why am I paying for something I have won?" That should be a red flag right away.
5. Family Members in Peril
These scam calls often target older citizens. Someone calls to inform Granny that they are in danger. Perhaps they are in prison and want bail money, or their vehicle has broken down.
If a caller claims to be a family member in a difficult situation, dial the person's number directly. If you cannot contact them, call another friend or family member who may be able to confirm their whereabouts.
Contact the courts or police station if a person is in legal difficulty. Most importantly, convey to senior family members that they should be suspicious of calls from relatives for money that are out of the ordinary.
6. Bank Scam Calls
Sometimes, criminals will pose as good people. They may phone consumers to warn them of probable fraud in their bank accounts. As the conversation develops, they require sensitive information such as bank account numbers and passwords. Do not reveal this information to anybody who calls you. Hang up instead.
Then, contact your institution directly to verify the legitimacy of the call. Do not use a number offered by an unknown individual over the phone or voicemail. Utilize the telephone number for your local branch.
7. Insurance, Health Care & Debt Scam Calls
In various similar phone scams, con artists attempt to sell vehicle warranties, provide debt consolidation loans, or verify health insurance information. It is advised to avoid making purchases over the phone unless you initiate the call.
Also, be wary of debt consolidation offers and those acting as health insurance agents searching for information they may use for identity theft.
Similar to the IRS, Medicare will not contact you. The safest course of action if someone pretends to be calling regarding your health insurance is to hang up and call the number on your insurance card.
8. Website Password Requests Scam Calls
Swindlers may attempt to enter your internet accounts. They call under various guises, such as giving technical help, investigating fraud suspicions, and requesting your password to authenticate your identity. You should never be asked for a website password over the phone. There is no valid justification for this.
9. Fake Customer Scam Calls
Not only do people get scam calls, but this may also be an issue for small enterprises. Every organization must educate its staff about possible fraud and the necessary precautions.
Swindlers will call pretending to be clients. They often have an urgent matter that requires prompt attention. Ultimately, they need money to be transmitted someplace.
In these cases, employees must be taught to authenticate a person's identification. Ideally, this will require communicating with consumers over two channels, such as phone and email, to confirm that they did contact the office.
10. Other Urgent Requests
Constantly developing, though, scam calls have an entire thread. Nearly every event I've encountered has had a feeling of urgency. Scammers emphasize that whatever they are phoning about must be dealt with promptly, or the chance will be gone.
If someone is pressuring you to make an immediate payment or decision over the phone, take a step back and reconsider their claims.
Conclusion
If you fall victim to scam calls, it might be tough to retrieve your money. You must nonetheless submit a police complaint and inform your bank. In addition, if your Social Security number has been stolen, you should contact Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to request that fraud safeguards be added to your credit reports.
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