Getting unwanted phone calls from scammers and telemarketers happens to almost everyone. The caller may claim that you have won a free vacation, but you must pay a fee to receive the details. Similarly, this person may tell you that you need to pay the shipping charges and provide your credit card number to get a prize.
Instead of taking the time to look up a phone number, many people throw caution to the wind, giving their bank account or credit card numbers to strangers or sending money directly. Then, they wait for plane tickets or a job offer that never comes. The only result is that they are now poorer, sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars. Sadly, no one is completely immune to a phone scam. However, you have less risk of falling for one if you follow the tips described below.
Telemarketing is Big Business
Fraudulent operations rob people of tens of billions of dollars a year. Seniors are at the highest risk of being scammed, but everyone is targeted. It has been estimated that over 92 percent of Americans have received unwanted solicitation by phone. If you think scammers can’t find you, you’re wrong. Scammers and telemarketers often purchase numbers from phone companies or other telemarketers. Here’s how you can protect yourself.
Listen Carefully
When someone calls to solicit you, you should listen carefully and try to get as much information about them as you can. The more you know, the less likely you are to become a fraud victim. However, keep in mind that even if you ask lots of questions, some telemarketers will continue to lie – and quite convincingly, at that.
Don’t Give in to Pressure
Get as many facts as possible if the offer sounds good, then hang up and think about it. Discussing it with someone you know might be helpful. Scammers try to get people to agree as quickly as possible and exert pressure to get your money. They will say they are proposing a limited-time offer, while the price is going to go up soon, or something else along those lines. However, legitimate deals rarely merit rushing, so don’t fall for it.
Tell Them to Stop Calling
If you’re pretty sure the phone call is a scam, don’t be afraid to tell them not to call you back. The more you talk to a scammer, the more likely it becomes that they’ll find a way to convince you of their good intentions. They’ll keep talking or calling you back if they believe they have a chance of reeling you in.
Ask for More Information
If you ask for more information and they provide it, you should analyze it carefully. Usually, however, they’ll be disinclined to give details. Instead, they’ll keep repeating how good the offer is and that you must act now.
Exercise Caution With Charities
While it’s true that quite a few legitimate charities raise funds by phone, scammers will also try this tactic. They will pretend to be from a well-known organization and try to convince you to donate to them. One common tactic is when the caller pretends to be from an organization that sounds like it’s connected to a public institution, such as the “Center for Support of Disabled Law Enforcement Officers.” In this case, you should not only look up their number but also their name. Often, you’ll find that no such organization exists.
The fewer people and organizations have your number, the better. Moreover, you should avoid giving it out to any vendor or merchant. It is also important to look up numbers that seem suspicious and avoid picking up when the caller is “unknown” or “restricted.”
Fraud Warning Signs
Scammers and illegitimate telemarketers will often tell you that you were “chosen to receive” a special offer, you “won a prize,” and that you’ll lose the offer unless you “act now.” Be wary of statements and terms such as “risk-free investment” or “guaranteed returns.” You shouldn’t be asked to pay shipping charges for a gift or make another payment to get a “free” present.
