fbpx

How to Recognize and Avoid Scam Calls: Warning Signs & Tips

Raj Pusuluri

elderly woman on a phone call

Have you ever received a phone call asking for your personal or financial information? If so, it could be a scam. Scam calls are becoming more and more common as technology advances, but there are ways to protect yourself from these fraudulent calls. Nobody likes to be scammed, yet scam calls remain a persistent problem for people worldwide. Whether online, over the phone or in person, there are always people out there looking to take advantage of others and their hard-earned money. But it doesn’t have to be this way! With the proper knowledge, understanding, and precautions, you can avoid being scammed by phone calls.

Fortunately, with some knowledge and following a few simple steps, you can easily protect yourself from falling victim to these types of scams. This post will explain How to Avoid Scam Calls and put an end to these unwanted calls. We’ll discuss how to recognize a scam call, what you should do when you get one, and the steps you can take to avoid them in the future. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have all the information you need to stay safe from scammers.

how to avoid scam calls

1) Identify a scam call

First and foremost, it’s essential to know how to identify a scam call. Here are some common signs of a possible scam call:

  • The caller is asking for personal or financial information.
  • There are threats of legal action if you don’t comply with the caller’s request.
  • The offer is too good to be true.
  • The caller needs to be more specific about their identity and the purpose of the call, and they often won’t answer specific questions you have.

Legitimate businesses will never ask you to provide these details over the phone and if they do, then it is likely a scam.

One warning sign of a scam call is if the caller seems overly aggressive or pushy. If the caller is pressuring you to provide information or make a purchase, then it is likely a scam.

So, Be very wary if someone calls you asking for personal or financial information or if they offer a deal that sounds too good to be true. Never give out your credit card number, bank account details, or other sensitive information over the phone.

2) How to Handle a Scam Call

Once you’ve identified a possible scam call, the best thing to do is to hang up. Don’t engage with the caller, and don’t provide any information. If you feel uncomfortable or if the call feels suspicious, hang up!

If it’s a robocall (a pre-recorded message), you can also report it to the FCC by filing a complaint online at https://www.fcc.gov/complaints. This will help them track down and stop these fraudulent calls from happening in the future.

For live calls, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to answer the phone if you don’t recognize the number. If you do, be sure to ask questions and research the person or company before doing anything. 

3) How to Avoid Scam Calls in the Future

You may be wondering how you can avoid scam calls in the future. The best way is to stay informed about new scams as they arise and take steps to protect yourself from them.

First, register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. This will make it more difficult for scammers to target you with telemarketing calls, as they are not allowed to call any number that is registered with the registry.

Second, be wary of unknown numbers when your phone rings. If you don’t recognize a number, take a few seconds to research it before answering, as this will help you determine if it is likely to be a scam call.

May also Like: A Beginner’s Guide: How to Take Care Of Your Dog at Home

Third, use caller ID blocking on your phone. This will make it harder for scammers to see your number when they attempt to reach you, making it less likely that they’ll try again in the future.

Finally, always be wary of any offers or requests that seem too good to be true. If something sounds suspicious or you are asking for personal information over the phone, hang up and contact law enforcement immediately. Taking these simple steps can help you avoid being taken advantage of by scammers.

men smiling and doing thumbs up
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

4) How to Protect Your Loved Ones

It’s also essential to protect your loved ones from scam calls. Educate them on how to identify and avoid them, and encourage them to register their numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry as well. You can also look into a call-blocking app for your phone, which will help to reduce the number of scam calls you receive.

Why am I getting so many spam calls on my cell phone?

You may be getting spam calls due to your phone number being on a list that is sold or shared with telemarketers. Additionally, if you’ve recently made an online purchase or shared your contact information with a business, they may have added your number to their spam call lists.

To protect yourself from future spam calls, register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry and consider using a Android device call blocking apps and iPhone/IOS callblocking apps for added protection. You can also report any suspicious calls to the FCC at https://www.fcc.gov/complaints to help track down and stop these fraudulent activities. By taking these steps, you can limit the number of spam calls you receive in the future.

How to stop spam calls on Android

Unfortunately, it is all too common to receive scam calls in today’s digital age. While these can range from annoying telemarketing calls to serious fraud attempts, they are a nuisance and should be avoid. Luckily, there are ways to avoid scam calls on Android phones.

One of the easiest methods is by blocking numbers. With most Android phones, you can block the number from which a scam call originated. To do this, open your Phone app and tap “Call Log” or “Recent Calls” to view your list of incoming calls. Then select the phone number from which you received a scam call and hit “Block/Report Spam” to prevent any further contact from that number.

Another option is to use a call-blocking app. There are numerous paid apps available on your smart phone app store, such as Hiya, Truecaller, and Mr. Number—each of which provides different features and levels of protection against scam calls. These apps block unknown numbers and keep a database of numbers that have been reported as scams to avoid them in the future.

Conclusion:

By following the tips outlined above, you’ll be able to stay safe and avoid any potential scams that may come your way. Keep in mind that scammers are always trying to come up with new ways to take advantage of people, so it’s important to stay vigilant and informed. The best way to protect yourself is by being proactive and taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety. With a few simple precautions, you can help to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from scam calls.

2 thoughts on “How to Recognize and Avoid Scam Calls: Warning Signs & Tips”

Comments are closed.