We all love our phones. The convenience, access to information and entertainment, and even the fact that we can call someone from anywhere at any time are things we take for granted. Unfortunately, some scammers want to take advantage of that love by pretending to be someone important (or even an official police officer) to get money out of you. Here’s how to avoid these scams:
Don’t Give Out Any Personal Information
Giving out personal information puts you in an awkward situation where scammers can impersonate you and cause real problems. But to be safe, get a reverse phone lookup service. If someone calls and asks for your credit card number, social security number, or whatever else, don’t give it to them!
Only Send Money to Someone You Know and Trust
If you don’t know the person, don’t send money. If you know the person, ask for a different payment. For example, if you’re sending money through Western Union or MoneyGram, call them first and let them know that your friend has requested a wire transfer so they can verify their identity with their bank account information. Then follow up with an email asking where they should send the funds (if applicable).
If there’s still no response within 24 hours and emails from both sides are unanswered after two days; and if you suspect foul play, all future payments will be frozen until further notice from our end.”
Don’t Give Out Personal Information
Keep off those who call to ask for your personal information. Ask for a callback number and let them know you’ll contact them within a few minutes. When you call back, verify the identity of the person who answers before giving out any information about yourself or your account. If they’re not who they say they are, or if there’s anything suspicious about their demeanor, don’t give out any information!
Be Wary Of Unsolicited Calls
If you receive an unsolicited call, don’t give out any information. Read to know how to avoid being scammed over a telephone.
You could be a victim of a phone scam. If you think you might have given out personal information or PINs to someone over the phone, contact your bank and let them know. If you think you’ve been scammed, contact the police immediately.
Stick To One Phone Number and Change It If Necessary.
Keeping your phone number and other personal information private is important if a scammer contacts you. Only give out one phone number on any given site or service, and then use that number every time you sign up for something new.
If the scammers try calling from another number again like +1 617 941 5721, they’ll be disconnected without being able to reach anyone else in your contact list (which could include family members). This will help ensure that whoever is trying to scam you won’t get through again—and if they do manage somehow to get through, hopefully, their next attempt will be unsuccessful!
Stay safe by using common sense. If something seems suspicious or unfamiliar, trust your instincts and don’t give out any information. If it sounds too good or too good for your wallet, walk away!
