Phone Scams Increasing Thanks to our Attachment to Smartphones
By: Jim Stickley and Tina Davis
August 19, 2017
They’re with us most, if not all the time. The attachment to our smart phones has its perks, but it also leads to fraudsters finding ways to abuse it. Pesky robocalls and bothersome texts are growing in alarming numbers, leaving many users victims to their scams. It’s not just that they’re annoying, but many robocalls and texts are coming from sources with criminal intent. The reason they continue to grow is that the scams are working, so the scammers are working overtime to find new ways to invade our privacy.
A recent survey by First Orion, a telecom service company, reveals an 85% surge in telemarketer calls from 2015. Some calls are legitimate, but the overwhelming amount of them are not. There seems there’s no end to what thieves are willing to do to trick you for your personal and financial information. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration reports scammers claiming to be IRS agents have bilked unsuspecting Americans out of $54 million since 2013. Many scams also prey on fears, telling you there are outstanding fines and fees you must pay to keep your home, car, insurance, and other necessities.
For some time now, the FTC has been combatting these issues and is always looking for new ways to help protect consumers. One visit to the FTC Scam Alert web page exposes the many incredulous ways scammers invade your privacy. The list continues to grow as fraudsters persevere, finding new ways to get your sensitive information. The good news is there are effective ways to fight back. Although not always 100% sales and scam-proof, they can put a serious dent into the alarming rate of these calls and texts. It’s always a good idea to pass these steps on to friends and loved ones.
- Approach with caution when taking calls from unknown numbers, or simply do not answer them.
- Add your number to the Do Not Call list. After your phone number is added, it takes just over 30 days for the calls to begin stopping.
- Report unwanted texts to your cell phone service provider and to the FTC. Reporting information can be found at the FTC website.
- Never provide confidential information to an unknown caller or text. Legitimate sources rarely ask for such information by phone or text. Hang up and contact whom the caller claims to be associated with. Let the entity know you’ve been contacted. They should be able to tell you if this person or practice is legitimate.
- Don’t fall for being told you’ve won a contest, prize, or services. Most scammers insist you must pay or purchase a gift card (giving them the card numbers) or fork over shipping and handling to get what you’ve won. Ask yourself why something that’s free should cost something. A little common sense goes a long way.