10 of the Sneakiest Phone Call Scams You Need to Watch Out For!

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Last Updated on September 27, 2020

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Scammers can easily steal your money and information over a phone call through these sneaky tricks.

If you think you’re being scammed or don’t recognize the number calling you, it’s always safe to not return the call. Scams can come from real people, robocalls, or via a text. Some scammers can go as far as threatening you of lawsuits, jail, or losing someone you love if you don’t give them what they want.

To stay safe and prevent scammers from stealing your money, here are 10 sneaky phone call scams you need to watch out for.

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#1 – The first thing you hear is someone asking ‘can you hear me’

If the first thing you hear after answering a phone call is the other person asking: can you hear me?

You shouldn’t utter a single word because the scammer is looking for a Yes to their question to record your affirmative answer. Later on, your scammer will use that recording as proof to your agreement to pay for a certain scam program.

To keep scammers from stealing money from you, replace yes with I hear you just fine! For further safety, use this answer even if the call is seemingly from a contact you know.

#2 – IRS scams

If you get a call from someone saying they’re from the IRS and want to collect cash, make sure to remain as calm as you can. Scammers may threaten to send the police to your place or use other fear-inducing strategies to push you to send money right away, so don’t freak out to avoid their traps.

Also, remember that if the IRS wants to contact you, you’ll receive a letter in the mail, never a phone call.

If the scammer isn’t after your money, they might be targeting your personal information, so no matter what they say, do not reveal your identity or your social security number and hang up immediately.

#3 – Bank calls

Unlike the IRS, banks do make phone calls. This can be quite confusing since your bank may call to confirm your identity to protect your account.

In case your bank calls to ask if transactions are legitimate, you can say yes or no, but don’t proceed to give any further information.

While some scammers would quickly recite your credit card number and your expiration date then ask you about your security code, others would tell you that your credit card has been frozen to prevent fraud and then ask for your social security number.

Make sure to never reveal this type of information unless you’re the one who made the call and if you want to make sure that it’s your bank that just called, call customer service and simply ask if they just called you.

#4 – The caller hangs up after one ring

Never rush to call back if your caller hangs up after one ring even if the number looks familiar.

Robocalls can fake bank names, local area codes, or organizations’ names to scam people, and calling back is a clear confirmation that your number belongs to a real target as well as the type of people who return calls, making you at risk to fall for other fake phone calls.

What’s more, calling back can cost you money even if you’re not asked for anything at all because it may be an erotic line that charges $17 per minute. And even if there’s a real person on the other side of the line, you should never reply to questions about money or personal information.

To stay within the safe zone, let unknown numbers reach your voicemail and the caller can always leave a message if it’s something important.

#5 – Virtual kidnapping

When someone calls to tell you they kidnapped a person you care about, try not to freak out and stay skeptical so you won’t fall in your scammer’s trap, even if you hear screams.

It’s difficult but scammers prey on fear and you shouldn’t let them fool you. End the call and contact your loved one to make sure they’re safe.

Keep in mind that real kidnappers won’t keep you on the line to guarantee the money, normally, they’d end the call as quickly as possible. In any case, just stay calm and don’t give up any information.

#6 – Tech support

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a tech company, such as Apple or Microsoft, asking if you’re having computer problems, you should just hang up without even saying no.

Obviously, it’s a call from a scammer because no one can possibly know you’re having a computer problem. In case you replied with a yes, the scammer will install malware instead of fixing the problem, also, they’d make you believe that your device is slow so you won’t feel skeptical when it really becomes sluggish afterward.

#7 – Grandparent scam

Many scammers target senior citizens and would call pretending to be a grandson/granddaughter and complain about having a critical issue, such as losing their wallet, to get money. If you’re a grandparent, don’t give any money until you make sure it’s your grandchild for real.

And in case your worries got the best of you, collect maximum information from the scammer before ending the call, then don’t do anything until you make sure your grandchild is safe wherever they are.

#8 – Congrats! You’re the lucky winner

Answering a call to hear that you’ve just won a million dollars is so dreamy and tempting but, in reality, it’s just too good to be true and you can’t win if you didn’t enter a certain contest in the first place. So, the logic scenario is that you’re being scammed.

In case you did enter a legitimate lottery, don’t trust a call from someone pretending to be a tax collector. Unless you receive the cash you won, you never have to pay any taxes.

#9 – Donation collectors

You can receive donation requests over the phone from lobbyists, political parties, and charities. You should always stay skeptical because while some may be legitimate, many will be sneaky scams.

You can answer such calls by saying you’ll call back or ask the caller to send you more information to read. If the cause falls within your interest, do your research to find out if it’s legitimate.

To know how much money of every donation goes to the cause claimed by a legitimate charity, visit charitynavigator.org. This way you can make sure your donations are well spent.

#10 – Jury eligibility

Another category of scammers would tell you they’re from the jury commission and then ask you to confirm your eligibility for jury duty by providing your social security number.

Well, don’t! You just can’t give up such important information just because you’re asked by an organization that sounds strongly authentic.

The best ways to protect yourself from any type of scammers are to always be skeptical, never answer unknown calls, and never be quick to give up personal information or call back.
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