Have you ever received a phone call from a random phone number? If you’re like most people, you’ve probably let the call go to voicemail thinking it was a scam. Unfortunately, you might be right. According to the Washington Post, almost half of the phone calls you receive on a regular basis are scams. It’s important to stay alert and be aware of the common phone scams, especially when your personal information could be at stake.
Did you just receive a phone call warning of your immediate arrest? Don’t worry! It’s probably a scam! Be aware of these 3 common phone scams so that your information is kept safe! #PhoneSafety Share on XPay Close Attention!
If you’re like most phone owners, scams are commonplace. Between federal offenses and bank fraud, the type of charges can cause hysteria if you’re not paying attention. Be aware of these three popular telephone scams and don’t let your information get stolen.
- Overdue Taxes
- Foreign Lotteries
- Family Emergencies
1) Overdue Taxes
One of the most popular scams is the impersonation of an employee from the IRS. Usually, in a state of urgency, scammers might say they’re some type of federal agent or police officer and will demand that your overdue taxes be paid. Don’t fall prey! The IRS continues to warn the public of these types of calls and assures that they would never call to demand immediate payment or threaten to bring in local police.
2) Foreign Lotteries
Could you pass up a chance at winning one million dollars? Unfortunately, the temptation is real and lottery scammers know how to capitalize on those who might take the jump. Foreign lottery scams are not just scams; they’re illegal. If you receive a call from someone claiming to enter you into a sweepstakes to win money or vacation, don’t give them your information. Most will ask for payment or a wire transfer for an entry, which can compromise your bank information and leave you losing in the end.
3) Family Emergencies
If you love someone, you might do anything to protect or help them. Scammers take advantage of this by creating fake family emergencies to get you to provide information about you or your loved one. Messages like, “Your grandson is being held in jail. He needs bail money right away” can make you feel helpless and nervous to ask further questions but it’s important to use caution. Ask questions to validate the identity of your loved one but remember to never share any personal information like your social security number or address. If your personal information isn’t kept secure, you could also face identity theft.
Pro Tip: Most scammers will frame their alerts to be urgent by placing time limits or threats to your cooperation. If something is actually wrong, you will most likely be notified before receiving a phone call.
With our professional phone answering services, you can guard your business against phone scams. Our representatives are trained to screen incoming calls and respond as necessary ensuring your private data isn’t compromised.
Don’t Get Scammed
With the rise of scams like these, consumers are faced with unsolicited phone calls on a daily basis. It’s important to use correct phone etiquette so that your business gains a reputation that can be trusted with personal information.
Connect with us to learn more about telephone scams and how to make sure it doesn’t affect your business.