How to Identify, Block, and Report Scam Calls

 

“Grandma, I’m in jail and need $5,000 for bail!”  

You pick up the phone, and the voice on the other end sounds exactly like your grandson, but something feels off. Your instincts are right; this is likely a scam using sophisticated technology designed to trick you into sending a stranger your hard-earned money. 

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans are involved in phone scams every year. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting people of all ages, but seniors are particularly vulnerable. According to the National Council on Aging, older adults lose an estimated $3 billion each year to financial scams.  

Unfortunately, these scams aren’t going anywhere. The best way to protect yourself from falling victim is to learn how to identify phone scams. 

 Let’s break down the four most common types of phone scams targeting seniors today: 

1.  Robocalls: These types of scams use automated calls designed to trick you into providing personal information over the phone. Once you pick up, an automated voice will lead you to believe you have won something, such as a free trip or lottery winnings. Remember: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Robocallers might also pose as trusted organizations, like your bank, the IRS, or an insurance provider. Don’t be fooled; they are only after your information.
2. Voice cloning: When you answer the phone, the voice may sound exactly like your loved one, creating a false sense of trust. Scammers who participate in voice cloning scams typically create urgent scenarios, such as medical emergencies, legal troubles, or immediate financial needs, to pressure you into sending money. To verify the caller’s identity, ask specific personal questions only the real family member or friend would know, or simply hang up and call them directly.
3. Computer tech support calls: These scams take advantage of seniors and the confusing world of cybersecurity and the internet. If someone calls to fix your internet connection or remove malware for a price, hang up and contact your trusted tech support provider directly. Legitimate tech companies and support representatives will not make unsolicited calls. While technology can sometimes seem scary or intimidating,  having a basic understanding of the technology you use daily can give you the confidence you need to protect yourself from potential scams
4. Romance scams: These scams take advantage of your human need for companionship and friendship. Romance scammers will invest weeks or months building trust through fake profiles online that establish relationships with seniors looking for friendship or romance. Once they’ve gained your confidence, they will call and ask for large amounts of money to help with their bills or pay for tickets to visit you. If someone you’ve never met in person asks for money, consult with trusted family members or friends before taking action.

Preventing Financial Loss from Phone Scams 

These types of scam calls increase every year. Keep your personal information safe by making it harder for scammers to commit fraud by following these steps: 

• Learn how to identify a scam call. 
• If you think you have picked up a scam call, hang up the phone immediately. 
• Never give out personal information, including name, address, credit card information, or bank account numbers. 
• Do not wire money or information to people or businesses you do not know. Anyone asking for payment via cash, gift cards, or by wiring money should raise a big red flag. 
• Do not answer unknown phone numbers. Instead, let them go to voicemail. After playing back your message, you can decide whether the call is legitimate. Click here to learn how to set up your ClearCaptions answering machine or voicemail. 
• Learn how to block scam-likely calls. 
• Download a robocall-blocking app on your mobile device. Before downloading any app, read the reviews and ask for help if needed. 
• Don’t press any keys or respond to prerecorded messages. This notifies the scammer that your phone number is active, which may lead to more scam calls. 
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to learn how to report a scam phone number and add yourself to the National Do Not Call Registry. 

Advanced Phone Scams: Understanding Modern Scam Tactics 

Just as scams are becoming more frequent, scammers are getting smarter. They will use technology to do everything from disguising their voice to sending a fake phone number to your caller ID. 

If this happens, don’t panic. Hang up and call a trusted friend or family member for help.

Text scams are also becoming more common. If you ever receive a text with a link from a number you do not recognize, do not click on it. You should ignore, delete, and report it. 

I Was A Victim of a Scam. What Next? 

Remember, you’re not alone! You may feel embarrassed and not want to tell anyone about being a victim of a scam, but doing nothing will only make the situation worse. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or caregiver. If you suspect you have fallen victim to a scam, contact your bank or credit card company immediately, and be sure to close any card or accounts that may have been compromised. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint, and reach out to Adult Protective Services in your area for additional support and resources. Make sure to keep a record of all communications with the scammer and all actions taken since discovering the fraud. 

Don’t let perpetrators take advantage of you. Stay up-to-date on the different types of fraud and learn how to block scam calls when you get them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from scam calls. 

How ClearCaptions Can Help 

One thing that may help you identify potential phone scams is a caption phone from ClearCaptions. Our phones provide near-real-time phone captions of your caller’s words on a large screen connected to your phone. By helping you hear and read everything your caller is saying, these captions give you a more complete understanding of the conversation, enabling you to better recognize suspicious calls and make informed decisions about how to respond.  

At ClearCaptions, your privacy and information security are incredibly important to us. We adhere to the rules and requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure your privacy over the phone is always protected.  

Reach out to us today to learn more!