According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, the telephone was the main method used in 74% of the fraud reports recorded in 2019. Meanwhile, the latest report of Truecaller Insights US Spam & Scam states that 1 in 3 Americans (30%) have reported being a phone scam victim in 2020. 56 million Americans (22%) have lost money due to this type of scamming with a reported $19.7 billion total amount in the loss.

You don't have to be an IT security expert in order to avoid being a phone scam victim.

unidentified caller
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Do not answer any question

Answering even one question from someone with no caller identity can be dangerous. It puts you at risk of being a victim of voice phishing. This kind of scam is perpetrated when the person on the other line records your voice whenever you answer "yes" to their question. If successfully done, the scammers can pretend to be a consumer and authorize fraudulent charges by using your voice recording.

It's important to be vigilant if you intend to answer an unknown caller. For example, if the other line asks you to press a button to stop receiving calls, don't press anything but rather hang up. Pressing a button may help scammers identify your location. Instead, write down the number of a potential scam call and report it to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A simple report will be able to help the authorities track down illegal callers and take appropriate action. You may also want to use robocall blocking tools to avoid unwanted calls.

Use caution if you are pressured to provide immediate information

Scam artists will try everything in the book to get your information. One of the tell-tale signs you're talking to a scam caller is if the person on the other end is pressuring you to act on something immediately or to keep the contact confidential. Another classic move is pretending to be a legitimate contact with believable information. Some claim to be from the government or law enforcement asking for money or personal information. Others declare that they are from a certain company and need to access your account.

Without IT security, it can be challenging to recognize phone scams. The workaround is to first verify the identity of the person you are talking to before answering his or her questions. Scammers will usually be evasive if you try to ask them for proof or ask for a supervisor. Try to ask for a company number to call back, and research if it is legit before calling it. You'll know if the caller is genuine if she or he doesn't sound frustrated when you withhold your private details and wouldn't mind it if you hung up.

Register your phone number

If you're someone who doesn't like receiving sales calls, then it's best to register your phone number to FTC's The National Do Not Call Registry. This program is specifically created for people who want to avoid calls from telemarketing companies. If your number is already registered, chances are the unwanted calls you're still receiving are from fraudsters.

In fact, this program only prevents calls from real telemarketing companies and will not stop scammers from calling you. However, this is still a great phone security measure to take that will curb unwanted calls at bay. Registering your home or mobile phone number is free.

Never give out personal information

Unless you've initiated contact and are fully aware of whom you are dealing with, never disclose personal information over the phone. This is a basic IT security protocol. Providing information readily can make you a victim of identity theft. Your personally identifiable information (PII) should always be kept confidential. Examples of PII include:

  • Names
    • Full Name
    • Maiden Name
    • Mother's Maiden Name
  • Personal ID Numbers
    • Social Security Number
    • Passport Number
    • Driver's License Number
    • Patient ID Number
    • Credit Account Number
    • Taxpayer ID Number
    • Financial Account Number
  • Addresses
    • Physical Location
    • Email
  • Technology Asset Information
    • Media Access Control (MAC)
    • Internet Protocol (IP)
  • Phone Numbers
  • Vehicle ID or Title Numbers

Understand the motive before you provide answers

A fraudulent call isn't always easy to detect. Sometimes, you may even be talking to a genuine customer service representative but still, be apprehensive.

Companies sometimes make unsolicited calls to their customers for legitimate reasons. When you receive such calls, it's your responsibility as a customer to verify the authenticity of the individual on the other side of the line. Don't fall for too-good-to-be-true deals. Instead, get the right information of the proposed deal first, research second, and then initiate another call if you found the information to be authentic. However, if the person you are talking to demands an immediate response from you, then most likely, it's just a scam.

Illegal callers call hundreds or thousands of phone numbers every day just to find a person they can deceive. Say no to unknown callers! If you're receiving a call that is not registered on your phone book, it's best not to answer it at all. But if this is not possible, be very cautious. Always identify who you're talking to and never give out personal information when asked.

Millions of people have already fallen prey to the various strategies of scam artists. To ensure your security against these fraudulent acts, you can depend on Triada Networks. Triada Networks provide a specialized IT security TriadaNet plan that is unique and specialized for the financial services industry. Rest assured that we will keep your data networks safe and secure, as we are dedicated to providing you with the best results. Schedule a free consultation today!