Phone Fraud is a widespread issue that affects thousands of individuals each year. Criminals use telephones to deceive and exploit their victims, with AARP reporting that about half of all mobile calls are fraudulent. While fraudulent landline calls are decreasing due to advancing technology, scam calls to fixed lines continue to target unsuspecting victims. Seniors are often specifically targeted by scammers, but anyone can fall victim to these schemes. It is crucial to stay informed about phone scams, including those where fraudsters impersonate IRS officials, in order to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
New phone scams continuously emerge and evolve as scammers adapt to avoid detection. Various imposter scams target individuals by posing as someone familiar or trustworthy to deceive them into giving money over the phone. The IRS imposter scam is a prevalent and distressing scheme that peaks during tax season. Scammers threaten individuals with legal action and demand immediate payment, often utilizing caller ID to appear as the IRS. It’s essential to remember that the IRS does not make threatening phone calls or request wire transfers over the phone.
QR Code imposter scams have also become more prevalent, taking advantage of the increased use of QR codes for various purposes. Cybercriminals create legitimate-looking QR codes that redirect individuals to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information or payments. To safeguard yourself, carefully scrutinize any website linked through a QR code, checking for suspicious details in the URL and refraining from making any payments on such sites.
Another common scam, the grandchild imposter scam, targets the elderly by posing as a grandchild in distress who urgently needs money wired to a foreign address. Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears. It’s crucial to remain vigilant and verify the legitimacy of such requests, especially when they involve urgent financial assistance.
If you receive a call like this, always verify your grandchild’s phone number or consult with others who can confirm if the grandchild is truly in trouble and requires assistance.
Other Imposter Scams
The IRS, debt collector, and grandchild scams have been some of the most significant threats, but the FTC also cautions about various closely related imposter scams. Family emergency scams expand the grandchild scam to any family member. Online dating scams target individuals seeking love by building trust with a potential romantic partner. Tech support scammers claim there is an issue with your computer that can only be resolved if you download malicious software.
Lottery Phone Scams
When it comes to promises of easy money, Lavelle advises with few exceptions, “If you are informed about winning a lottery you did not enter, do not believe it and hang up. In this scam, a fraudster will contact the victim stating they have won a large sum of money but need to pay a fee to claim it. Once the scammer receives the money, they vanish. A considerable number of these calls originate from Jamaica.” The FTC also highlights lottery scams as a top concern, cautioning about scammers in Canada and reminding potential victims that the sale or purchase of cross-border lottery tickets through mail or phone is unlawful.
Fuel Relief Program Scam
The Fuel Relief Program may sound like the ideal solution to high gas prices, but it is a non-existent scheme. Scammers contact victims via call, text, or email, claiming eligibility for the program in exchange for personal and financial details. This is a tactic to steal personal information, and victims will not receive any relief.
Debt Collector Scams
This scam involves a fraudster posing as a collection agency representative, offering a substantial discount on a debt you did not accrue, alongside threats to involve law enforcement if you decline. Always reject payment for a debt without a legally required “validation notice,” as well as the creditor’s name, debt amount, and the caller’s name, address, and phone number.
Rent Scams
Scammers target individuals facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic lockdown, claiming to offer rent money or legal aid to prevent eviction. However, they always request upfront payment or personal information. The FTC advises that these requests are clear signs of a scam, and individuals should not fall for them.
Online Shopping Scams
The surge in online shopping during the lockdown has led to an increase in scams exploiting the trend. Fraudsters may contact individuals claiming a package is waiting for them, requesting clicks on links or personal information. Some impersonate Amazon or Apple representatives, aiming to access personal accounts.
Threats to Immigrants or Parents
When the Trump administration expanded deportation efforts to include a broader range of immigrants, many individuals fell victim to threats or scams.
Even legal immigrants with proper documentation feel vulnerable, as scammers take advantage of their fears, the Federal Trade Commission warns. These scammers impersonate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, threatening to revoke immigration status unless money is paid. Other tactics include sending fake threats to parents using photos of their children from social media, along with threats of violence.
Netflix phishing scams typically come through email or text messages, but phone calls are also possible. Scammers pretend to be from Netflix or another streaming service, requesting updates to payment or personal information to avoid service interruptions. These scams often include dangerous links that the scammers want victims to click on.
Certain scams have persisted for years, targeting innocent victims for their money or personal information. Predatory robocalls remain prevalent, with scammers offering various schemes such as lower credit card rates or free vacations. Caller ID spoofing is another deceptive tactic used to manipulate caller ID software, displaying legitimate-seeming information to deceive victims.
Spear phishing scams involve fraudsters using personal information to gain victims’ trust, often in conjunction with caller ID spoofing. By providing partial personal information, scammers attempt to trick victims into revealing the rest, such as Social Security numbers. The utility scam and neighbor scam are additional fraudulent schemes that rely on deception and urgency to exploit individuals or businesses.
Scammers often target victims by calling from local numbers, as people are more likely to pick up. They may pretend to be a neighbor in an emergency or a school nurse needing personal information.
Jury Duty Scams are serious, but receiving a call from a U.S. marshal threatening arrest for not paying a fine is a common scam. Victims are urged to avoid falling for these schemes.
The Recovery Scam is particularly malicious as it preys on individuals who have already been scammed. Scammers claim to have recovered lost money and ask for personal data or a fee to facilitate the return, which never happens.
If you suspect a suspicious call, it’s crucial to act swiftly. Avoid engaging with unknown callers and never provide personal information or follow their instructions. Hang up immediately if you feel uneasy or realize it’s a potential scam.
To protect yourself, screen unfamiliar calls, and let unknown numbers go to voicemail. If in doubt, hang up promptly, especially if the call requests you to press buttons or answer questions. Refrain from following any instructions given by suspicious callers.
Consider registering with the Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls, though its effectiveness may vary. Being vigilant and cautious can help you avoid falling victim to phone scams.
To avoid unwanted calls, Lavelle suggests taking action if you are still receiving calls after being on the Do Not Call Registry for a month or longer. You can file a complaint with the FTC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call (888) 225-5322. Additionally, consider blocking repeat offenders by using your cellphone provider’s blocking feature or third-party apps and services that help reduce unwanted calls. Nomorobo is a recommended free service that blocks robocalls and telemarketers. Another option is to set up anonymous call rejection with your phone provider to screen out calls from blocked caller IDs. Stay informed about evolving phone scams and protection methods by visiting the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Remember that you are not alone in dealing with these calls, as many others are also frustrated. A petition with nearly 230,000 names was submitted to the FCC in 2019 to demand technology implementation by phone companies to stop robocalls at no cost to consumers.
