Is This Number a Scam? How to Spot Fake Calls
We’ve all been there: a call from an unfamiliar number pops up on your phone, and you hesitate. Is it something important or just another scammer trying to trick you? In today’s world, phone scams have become increasingly sophisticated. The use tricks like phone spoofing to disguise themselves as trusted sources. From your bank to your local government office to a random unregistered number, scammers can make their call appear as if it's coming from anyone (including someone you know).
So, how do you tell the difference between a legitimate call and a sneaky scam? In this blog post, we’ll break down the tricks scammers use and show you how to spot the red flags.
What is Phone Spoofing and How Does it Work?
Phone spoofing is a sneaky trick scammers use to disguise their real phone number. They make their call appear to come from a trusted source, like your bank, a government agency, or even a familiar local number. This technique is often used to get you to answer the phone, thinking the call is legitimate.
Here’s how it works: The scammer uses technology to fake their caller ID information. So, even if your phone says the call is from your area code or a well-known organization, it might actually be coming from halfway around the world.
Sometimes they even pick a random number instead of a number you know. That way, even if you search the number on the internet, nothing shows up. Spoofing is like wearing a disguise over a phone number to hide the caller’s true identity.
The goal? To trick you into answering or calling back.
Red Flags of a Scam Caller
Spotting a scam caller can be tricky, but there are some telltale signs to watch out for:
Urgency and Threats: If the caller pressures you to act immediately or threatens consequences like account closure, legal trouble, or loss of benefits, it’s a major red flag.
Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive details, like your Social Security number or bank account passwords, over the phone or by text.
Unfamiliar or Generic Greetings: Be cautious if the caller doesn’t use your name or provides a vague introduction.
Offers Too Good to Be True: If the caller claims you’ve won a prize or lottery but asks for payment or bank details to claim it, it’s likely a scam.
Unusual Payment Methods: Scammers often ask for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These methods are hard to trace and even harder to recover.
When in doubt, hang up and verify the legitimacy of the call by contacting the organization directly using a trusted phone number, like a number from their website, mailed account statement, or the back of your card.
What Happens if You Call Back an Unknown Number?
Calling back an unknown or suspicious number can expose you to a variety of risks:
Premium Rate Scams: Some numbers are designed to charge exorbitant fees per minute. You won’t know until you see a shockingly high phone bill.
Phishing Attempts: By returning the call, you may confirm to the scammer that your number is active, making you a future target for more scams, including scams coming from other sources, like email or text.
Malware Links: In some cases, automated responses might direct you to visit a fraudulent website, putting your personal data at risk.
To stay safe, avoid returning calls to numbers you don’t recognize, especially if they left vague or suspicious voicemails. If you’re curious, you can try to look up the number online (some services let you pay a one-time or monthly fee to be able to look up numbers, although you often won’t find anything if the number is fully spoofed).
Phone scams are becoming more sophisticated, but staying informed can help you stay one step ahead. By being cautious about who you answer and avoiding unknown numbers, you can significantly reduce your risk.
Remember, it’s okay to let calls go to voicemail if you’re unsure. A legitimate caller will leave a clear message with contact information. Trust your instincts, and when in doubt, verify before engaging. If something is a scam, you can always report it. Protecting yourself from phone scams is a small step that can make a big difference in keeping your personal information and peace of mind intact.
Want more? Additional reading can be found here. You can also download the free internet safety guide PDF or attend one of our upcoming workshops.