How To Report Phone Scams

How To Report Phone Scams: A Must-Read Guide in 2023

If you're wondering how to report phone scams, your search has come to an end. We have the answer in this article, whether you live in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada or Australia. Let's dig in.

It's been increasingly unsafe that anyone could be scammed at any moment. Lots of funds have been lost through phone calls. Scammers evolve, and it's time we catch up with them. We are talking about people's life savings, education fees, bills, and many more have been siphoned out of their pockets through phone scams.

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A scammer will contact you via the phone and try extremely hard to befriend, convince, or trick you into their traps. Such scammers can go ahead to blackmail you into sending money, and others even threaten you.

Fighting scams is a day to day job, and you must protect yourself. Here, we will discuss ways to spot a phone scam – and of course, on the same token, how to report phone scams.

Before we start, just a mention that in the same category of articles you can learn how to stop scam calls, how to block Scam Likely calls, how to report a scam website, and how to report scam emails.

For now, let's stick with phone scams. Read below.

 

How to Spot a Phone Scam: 10 Tips

Scammers commonly carry out a phone scam because it's easy for them to convince you through their voice other than some email or fake ad. They will pose as government officials or a reputable company and lie to you of exquisite deals and offers.

They will try to excite you with their sweet deals, not giving you a chance to think through it or even ask a question. Beware of them; they may trick you in sending money (subject to Venmo scams) or even private information, which may lead to identity theft. Phone con artists frequently attempt to snare you with tempting offers, allures for worthy missions, or cases of being related to the administration. They won't even allow time for you to think through their pitch. They will pressure you to make a decision.

 

1. Ignore the ‘You're Among the Few Selected' Trick

They will probably try to sweet-talk you to a fantastic offer or a lottery prize you just won, such as the Facebook Lottery. The common thing with this type of scam is that they will request you to pay fees first to benefit from what they claim to have for you.

2. Phone Call Scammers Exhaust Themselves To Convince You

They have this ‘yes' tactic that they will ask you the first few questions that require you to say yes, then hit you with an offer. This is a known psychological tactic. They may also use sales pitches such as ‘time is now,' ‘last chance,' or ‘limited time.'

You don't have to choose now. Most genuine organizations will allow you to thoroughly consider their offer and get composed of data about it before requesting that you submit. Take as much time as is needed. Try not to get forced into settling on a choice on the spot.

3. Callers Hesitate to Answer When Asked About Background Details

These scammers are always not prepared, and they will pause if you ask them well-structured questions. Here is how to tell if someone is scamming you online.

4. Avoid Personal Information Confirmation

Yes, this should be your first guideline in avoiding scams. No company or government official on this earth will ask for your personal information, such as a credit card number, or confirm your password. Government offices aren't calling to affirm your delicate data. It's never a smart thought to give out delicate data like your Social Security number (pay attention to this Social Security scam call) to somebody who calls you startlingly, regardless of whether they state they're with the Social Security Administration or IRS. That's a scam (read here a full list of Social Security scams).

5. Questionable Methods of Payments

The safest way to transact online is through credit card or PayPal (beware of these PayPal scams!), which have a reputable, scam-free, and traceable fund reputation. Avoid transacting through gift cards, western Union, bitcoins, or any other method, especially if you're dealing with strangers. Using shady practices will make it harder to trace the funds if scammed.

Be wary of a stranger asking you to send them funds via fraudulent means. They are scammers trying to steal from you. Credit cards have a security firewall, and it's transacted from a firm to a firm, and the funds are traceable. Watch out most during online shopping.

If it's too late, here is what to do if you have been scammed over the phone.

6. Callers Make Threats

This mostly when the scammers feel you're not cooperating, and they will deploy threats to scare you. Relax, it's just a threat; no one will call you and arrest you. Phone call con artists may claim to be law implementation or a government organization. They may state you'll be captured, fined, or ousted if you don't make good on charges or some other obligation immediately. The objective is to alarm you into paying. However, genuine law requirements and government organizations won't call and undermine you.

7. Beware of Robocalls

The main reason they use ‘robocalls' is to create an environment where you'll think it's a genuine company. No company will phone call you and put a robot voice to guide you without your consent. That's a scam, period.

8. Device Malware and Ransom

This goes for internet lovers. You open an unknown link, a virus starts downloading. The scammers responsible will contact you and request a ransom to be paid to solve the issue. The easiest way to spot them on this scam is they'll use the malware to control your computer.

9. Be Aware of the ‘I need help' Statement

This is one of the oldest scams where a stranger purporting to be a friend or that person you got along on online dating websites calls you and asks for financial help. End the call immediately and block the contact if you can.

10. Phone Calls From Unknown Companies

If you've ever dealt with a business company, you'll know you have to permit them before calling you with a robocall. Phone call scams mostly happen when you receive calls from strange companies that you have no business with. It's illegal for a company to call you and ask even a bit of your info in some cases. That's the first sign it's a scam. End the call immediately.

 

Follow-up Phone Scams

Phone scams are comprised of a series of repetitive tactics. Here are some common types and how to avoid phone scams.

Fake profile scams. A phone call scammer will wear the sheepskin and pose a friend or relative, even as a government official. Be wary of those dating sites with whom you interact with. Scammers can also fake caller ID.

Debt and credit card scams. These scammers will call and try to convince you that you are getting debt relief such as student loan debt but with a certain fee. Don't be lured with such stories; be sure to confirm first with a legit organization.

Investment scams. Scammers will call you, claiming they have a lucrative deal that will be suitable for you or your business. The next step is they'll ask for funds in the promise of future interest. Before you succumb to their tricks, refer to FTC's Business Opportunity Rule, and learn more.

Charity scams. This is rampant and very inhumane for scammers to lie about donations. In results, it suppresses the voice of the real people in need. They'll call you to say they're from a reputable donation company and request you to donate with lies about floods and relief foods. To be safe, always confirm the Charity Company or site before donating.

Lottery scams. Everybody knows the trick, but it's still depressing that vast people fall victim to such scams. A scammer will phone call you and insist that you've won a lottery (which you don't remember playing) and the prize is enormous. This is to get you excited; then, they hit you with the upfront fees tale. That you should pay a certain amount before receiving the prize, that's a scam.

 

How to Avoid Phone Calls From Scammers

End call ASAP. Once you get a call claiming they're from a particular company and you highly suspect a fraudulent atmosphere, cut the call immediately. If it's from a company you know but called you without your content, that's a red flag, and it's advisable to cut relationships with such companies.

Blocking or call labeling. Simple as that, this way, you'll avoid wasting your precious time dealing with potential scammers. Scammers have no mercy, and they're always hungry and greedy. Blocking or call labeling will prevent such calls and confirm with your service provider on blocking or call labeling reviews.

Don't rely on Caller ID. Phone call scammers are one of the smartest and even got the guts to use their voices. These Scammers use a technology that enables them to change a number, user ID, and name without breaking a sweat. You may think it's the local company or government only to find out the call is from far seas.

 

How To Report Phone Scams: Link Below

If you've been phone scammed and lost some funds, but you have details on the firm or scammer, click ftc.gov/complaint to file a report in the U.S.. You can call also report scam calls in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia by clicking on the links.

Be sure to report any number used by the scammers to contact you even if it differs from the previous one. Once reported, the FTC will carry out a background check and run its systems to match any call patterns relating to the scammer's number. It's advisable to give out all the information necessary to investigate. One small piece of data may open an extensive network.

When you report, you join the fight against phone call scams. This will help the authorities' cub the scammers carrying out the illegal calls.

Now that you know how to report phone scams, educate yourself with a few other fraud-related articles located under this paragraph. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.

Here are some must-reads for the end:

Protection Against Ransomware

Call From My Own Number Scam