Last year, Americans lost a huge $39.5 billion to phone scams. If you answer calls marked “scam likely,” you’re taking a big risk. Scammers can steal your identity or add unauthorized charges to your bill, a scam called “cramming.” Out of 50.3 billion spam calls, around 30 billion were deceitful, showing why it’s essential to know the risks.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has seen scam complaints jump from 7,500 in 2020 to over 12,000 in 2021. This shows the growing danger. It’s important to understand these threats and how to protect yourself, including ways to keep your personal info safe. Knowing about these risks is the first step to avoiding falling into the scammers’ traps.
What Happens if You Answer a Scam Likely Call
Answering a scam call can lead to serious problems. Scammers use different tricks to trick people and get personal info. Knowing the dangers helps protect your identity and keep your money safe.
You Could Become a Victim of Identity Theft
Identity theft is a big risk with scam calls. Scammers pretend to be from banks or government agencies to get your info. With it, they can commit fraud, causing you financial harm and stress.
Your Phone Bill Could Increase
Your phone bill could suddenly get higher. Scammers might make you stay on the call or use expensive numbers. This happens without you knowing, raising your expenses.
Possibility of Financial Loss
Scammers can make you lose money. They trick you into sending money, giving your credit card details, or paying for fake services. This leads to direct financial loss. Every year, these scams steal billions worldwide.
Becoming the Target of Tech Support Scams
Tech support scams are common. Fraudsters act like real tech support from big companies. They trick you into installing harmful software or giving them access to your computer. This puts your device and data at risk.
Increased Risk of Hackers Accessing Your Online Accounts
Scam calls can also let hackers into your online accounts. They use the info they get to break into your email, bank, or social media. This puts your identity and security at risk.
Risk of Being Targeted by More Scammers
Responding to a scam call can mark your number as active. Then, it’s sold to more scammers. You get more scam calls, making you face more fraud attempts.
Scammers Could Record and Misuse Your Voice
Scammers might record your voice. They use this to make unauthorized transactions or fake service agreements. Services like T-Mobile’s “Scam Shield” and those from AT&T and Verizon help. But, staying alert is key for protecting your identity and money.
How To Identify a Scam Likely Call
Scam calls often show warning signs. It’s crucial to know these signs to protect your personal data. By understanding them, you can spot and avoid scammers more easily.
Caller ID Spoofing
Caller ID spoofing is a favorite trick of scammers. They change the caller ID to look like a local number to get you to answer. Even though companies like AT&T and Verizon are fighting this, you should still be careful with unknown numbers that look local.
Pre-recorded Messages
Robocalls, or pre-recorded messages, are another warning. They might say you need to act fast or call back. If they ask for personal info or payments, it’s probably a scam. Your phone company may help identify these calls.
Requests for Personal Information
Real companies usually won’t ask for your private info over the phone. If you get a call like this, be cautious. The caller might claim to be from a bank or government agency. Always check who they are through official sites before sharing anything.
Common Types of Scam Calls
Today, scam calls are everywhere. They come in many forms, all trying to trick people. It’s vital to know these forms to keep safe. Let’s look at the top scam call tactics.
Telemarketing Scams
Telemarketing scams trick people by acting like real businesses. These scammers are good at convincing people, making it hard to tell them apart from real offers. Spotting telemarketing fraud is key to avoid losing money or your identity. A big scam in 2022 hit over 150,000 elderly, stealing $300 million.
Robocalls
Understanding robocalls is important. They are usually automated and play a recorded message. Some are legal, like those from politicians or debt collectors. But, many are illegal and aim to steal your info. In 2022, the FCC wanted to fine an operation $299 million for illegal robocalls. These calls check if your number works, leading to more scams.
Phishing and Tech Support Scams
Phishing scams try to steal personal info, pretending to be banks or government offices. Tech support scams are similar. A fake technician wants to get into your computer. Their goal? To plant viruses or steal data. These scams are growing, reminding us to be careful with our info during calls.
We must be aware of these scams to protect ourselves. Spotting telemarketing fraud, understanding robocalls, and knowing phishing scams are key steps. It helps us fight against cybercrimes.
Legal Framework: STIR/SHAKEN Overview
Robocalls have flooded America, hitting an astonishing 31 billion in just the first half of 2023. These calls have cost people $33 billion. To fight this, the FCC rolled out the STIR/SHAKEN framework.
How STIR/SHAKEN Works
The STIR/SHAKEN setup is a big step from the FCC to stop fake caller IDs. It checks if incoming calls are real using digital certificates. This helps spot and block fake calls.
Impact on Scam Call Detection
Thanks to STIR/SHAKEN, spotting scam calls has gotten better. But, there’s a catch: it sometimes marks real calls as scams. Now, most call providers need to use STIR/SHAKEN. This has made it easier to tell real calls from fake ones, keeping us safer from scams.
Why Legitimate Calls Are Sometimes Flagged
Sometimes real calls get wrongly tagged as scams. This often happens to businesses that call a lot. The reasons are complex, like how calls move or different rules for different call companies. Still, the FCC is working hard to fix these mix-ups and keep us safe from real scams.
Immediate Actions If You Answer a Scam Call
If you answer a scam call, act fast to protect your info. Use these tips to keep your personal info safe.
Hang Up Instantly
Hanging up right away is key. Scammers have tricks to keep you on the line. Staying on can put you at risk. If the call feels wrong, hang up fast.
Do Not Provide Any Information
Never share personal or financial info. Don’t give out your social security number, bank details, or your birthday. Scammers use little bits of info to steal your identity. If unsure, call the company yourself at their official number.
Protecting Yourself From Scam Likely Calls
To lower the risk from scam calls, use different tools and pay attention to protect yourself. Your phone has built-in features and third-party apps to cut down on scam calls. Also, watching your bank and online accounts closely helps catch unauthorized activities early.
Using Built-in Phone Features
Modern phones have built-in methods to block scam calls. “Do Not Disturb” mode and spam filters keep suspicious calls away. For instance, both iOS and Android let you silence unknown callers. These tools are your first shield against scammers targeting your number.
Third-Party Apps for Call Blocking
For extra safety, several security apps can block scam calls. Nomorobo and Hiya are great at stopping robocalls and spam. They use smart algorithms to recognize and block spam numbers. With these apps, you get another layer of defense against scam calls.
Monitoring Your Accounts for Suspicious Activity
Even with great call blocking, it’s key to watch your accounts for weird activities. Scammers might try to get your personal info through identity theft. Checking your financial statements often is critical for stopping scams. Always be on the lookout for charges you didn’t make.
Besides these steps, always report strange calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This helps enforce laws against phone scams and reduces scam calls.
Why Do You Receive Scam Likely Calls?
The number of scam calls has increased due to many reasons. People often wonder why they get so many unwanted calls. Knowing the main reasons can help you protect yourself.
Data Breaches and Information Leaks
Data breaches and info leaks are why scam calls have risen. In 2022, phone scammers posing as the IRS cheated Americans out of over $511 million. They get personal info, including phone numbers, through these breaches. This makes it easy for them to target many people.
Telecom Provider Practices
Telecom companies have taken steps to fight scam calls. AT&T’s “Valid Number” and T-Mobile’s “Scam Likely” tags are part of this. Verizon and AT&T mark suspicious calls by checking against a list of known scammers.
On June 30, 2021, the FCC made it necessary for U.S. telecom companies to confirm caller IDs over IP networks. There’s no sure way to avoid scam flags, but companies are working to find a balance. Using reliable numbers and staying informed about scam flags can help.
In the end, even though challenges remain, understanding and using protective telecom measures can lessen scam calls. This knowledge can help lower the chances of getting such calls.
Conclusion
It’s super important to know the dangers of answering scam calls today. These calls can lead to identity theft, losing money, and getting more unwanted calls. Scammers usually try to get your personal details, like your Social Security number or bank info. This could cause big problems.
You can spot scam calls by looking for fake caller IDs and if they ask for personal info. Using tools like Community Phone’s spam-blocking app helps a lot. It blocks most robocalls. Also, signing up for the National Do Not Call List helps keep scammers away. New tech, like the STIR/SHAKEN framework, is also helping by making sure caller IDs are real.
Being smart and using good strategies can make a difference. For example, call tracking tools like WhatConverts show if a call is real or spam. For companies, seeing calls as chances while keeping calls organized can help grow their business. Always be alert and informed. That’s the best way to fight off scam calls.
