Phone scammers are very clever at persuading people into giving out personal information or sending them money. It is important to know how to recognize telephone scams and understand how to take action. Phone scammers will often pretend to be someone they are not, such as the IRS or your credit card company, and scare you into giving them personal information. Another common scam is when you receive a call letting you know you’ve been selected to win prize. It is common to feel worried after receiving these calls, but don’t panic, you’re not going to jail, and I’m sorry, but you didn’t win a free trip to Hawaii.
Common Types of Phone Scams
- Computer tech support- This one happens when a scammer calls pretending to be a tech company to tell you that your computer is experiencing viruses. The scammer will tell you that in order to get rid of the virus, they need access to your computer. The scammer will have you download a malware that gives them access into your computer, giving them a direct way into any personal information that may be on your device.
- IRS impersonators- This one is heavy around tax season. If you get a call from someone who is claiming to be the IRS, be cautious. The scammer may try to convince you that you could be arrested if you don’t pay a fine. They might also ask you to verify your social security number, or other information, in attempt to steal personal information.
- Credit Card Fraud- This scammer is someone who is pretending to be with your credit card company. They will ask you to verify personal information and tell you that your credit card has been hacked. The scammer will tell you that to get the issue resolved they need your credit card number… don’t give it to them.
- Congratulations, you won a prize! Or not… Prize scams are very common. These scammers will tell you that you have been selected to win a prize, such as a free trip to the Bahamas, or the lottery. If you are asked to pay a small amount of money before receiving your prize, I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but you didn’t win.
How to Handle Phone Scamming
- Hang up immediately
- Block their number
- Never share personal information over the phone
- Notify the company- If you get a scam call from someone impersonating a company, notify the company. The company will take precautions to prevent their customers from becoming fraud victims.
- Notify the Federal Trade Commission- The FTC releases reported numbers to the public each day. They also analyze complaint trends and information to track down scammers.
If you are a Socket customer and have any questions about phone calls you have been receiving, you can contact our customer support at 1-800-762-5383.