What can you do to avoid scam calls and scams?

Scams are fraud or deceitful callers who aim to induce people into giving important information such as financial data, personal information, or access to their computers. 206-453-2329 Scammers frequently employ various strategies to induce feelings of urgency, or perhaps fear, persuading the victim to act immediately.

The most common types of scams are:

Impersonation Scams:

• The scammers could pretend to represent banks, government agencies, utility companies, or tech support. They may claim that there’s something wrong regarding your account or device.

Phishing Calls:

• The calls are designed to trick users into giving out personal information using fake organizations. The caller might ask for passwords, credit card numbers, or other social security details.

Robocalls:

• Automated callers play pre-recorded messages often created to encourage fraud or collect information.

Tech Support Scams:

• Scammers claim they are from a reputable company for tech support and will inform the person of a computer virus or problem. They might request remote access to the PC or demand payment for services that are not needed.

Tax Scams:

• The fraudsters could pose as tax authorities and threaten legal action if the person can’t pay the tax or penalties immediately.

Lottery or Prize Scams:

• Fraudsters inform victims that they’ve won a prize or a lottery and ask for payment and specific information to claim claimed winnings.

Social Security Scams:

• They claim to be representatives from the Social Security Administration, stating that the user’s Social Security number is compromised and demands immediate action or payment.

Grandparent Scams:

• Scammers target older people who pretend to be family members (usually adult children) suffering from financial hardship and in dire need of financial help.

What can you do to avoid scam Phone calls and fraud?

Staying aware of fraudulent calls and activities is essential to guard against security breaches and financial loss. Here are some suggestions to ensure you’re vigilant:

Caller ID Verification:

• Do not trust the identity of the caller. Scammers could manipulate it to show a genuine-sounding caller’s name or phone number.
• If you’re uncertain about the identity of the person calling you, hang up and contact the official phone number of the business to confirm the phone number.

Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls:

• Be wary of calls coming from unknown numbers, particularly when they claim to come from bankers, government agencies, or other significant establishments.
• Official organizations typically communicate via official channels, not through telephone calls.

Avoid Sharing Personal Information:

• Don’t divulge personal information like Social Security numbers, credit account details, or passwords over the telephone unless you have initiated the conversation and are confident of the identity of the person calling.

Beware of callbacks

• Do not call back numbers you have that are left in voicemails or by text message, particularly if you do not recognize them. Scammers typically employ this technique to lure you into calling the number at a higher rate.

Educate Yourself:

• Be aware of common frauds and scams. Being mindful is the primary protection.
• Learn and stay mindful of the most recent techniques that hackers employ to keep a step ahead of possible dangers.

Install Call Blocking Apps:

• Make use of call-blocking applications that detect and block fraudulent numbers.
• A few mobile providers also have integrated features that stop or block potential fraud calls.

Verify Email and Text Messages:

• As with telephone calls, you should be wary of unsolicited text and email messages.
• Beware of clicking on links and downloading attachments from untrusted websites.

Monitor Financial Statements:

• Always check your credit and bank statements to identify fraudulent or unusual transactions.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

• Utilize two-factor authentication as often as possible to provide additional protection for your accounts online.

Report Suspicious Activity:

• If you are notified of a suspicious phone call, you should report it to the proper authorities or company.
• Let your friends and family know about possible scams so they can be protected, too.

Trust Your Instincts:

• If there is a feeling that something is wrong during the call or communication, trust your gut and follow the proper security measures.