We’ve all gotten calls from unknown numbers before, and while most of the time it’s just a telemarketer trying to sell us something we don’t need, there are some scammers out there who will try to steal our money.
Here are five of the most common phone scams that you should be aware of:
The IRS Scam
This is probably the most well-known phone scam out there. The caller pretends to be from the IRS and tells the victim that they owe money in back taxes. They will threaten legal action if the victim doesn’t pay up immediately, and sometimes they will even say that the police are on their way to arrest them.
This is a scam that has been around for a while, but it is still being used today, and people are still falling for it. To avoid being scammed, remember that the IRS will never call you out of the blue and demand that you pay them money. If you do owe taxes, you will usually get a letter in the mail first.
Also, the IRS will never threaten to have you arrested or demand that you pay them with a specific form of payment, such as a wire transfer or gift card. If you get a call like this, hang up and report it to the IRS.
The Bank Scam
In this scam, the caller pretends to be your bank or credit card company and tells you that there has been some suspicious activity on your account. They may say that your card has been used in a foreign country or that there have been multiple attempted charges.
The caller will then say that they need to verify your account information to make sure that it is you. They may even ask for your credit card number or social security number.
This is a scam that can be hard to spot because the caller may have some of your personal information, such as your name and address. They may also spoof the caller ID to make it look like they are calling from your bank.
To avoid being scammed, never give out your personal information to someone who calls you out of the blue. If you are worried about your account, hang up and call your bank or credit card company directly.
The Grandparent Scam
In this scam, the caller pretends to be a grandchild or other relative in need of money. They may say that they are in a foreign country and need money for an emergency, such as a medical bill or plane ticket home.
They will often sound frantic and may even pretend to be crying. This can be a very convincing scam, but there are some red flags to look out for.
For one, the caller will usually have some basic information about you, such as your name and address. There are online free tools and services that can reveal your personal information just by typing in your phone number. But they may not know more personal details, such as the names of your grandchildren.
Another red flag is that they will usually ask you to wire them money or send a gift card. They may even say that they need the money right away and will call you back if you don’t have time to do it now.
If you get a call like this, try to verify the person’s identity by asking them personal questions. If you can’t reach a relative to confirm their story, don’t send them any money.
The Tech Support Scam
In this scam, the caller pretends to be from a tech support company, such as Microsoft or Apple. They will say that there is a problem with your computer or that it has been infected with a virus.
They may even go so far as to say that they are getting error messages from your IP address or that someone has hacked into your account.
The caller will then offer to help you fix the problem, but they will say that you need to pay them first. They may ask for your credit card number or insist that you buy a gift card and give them the code.
To avoid being scammed, remember that tech support companies will never call you out of the blue. If you are having problems with your computer, hang up and call the company yourself.
Also, be suspicious of anyone who asks you to pay for something before they provide a service. And never give out your credit card number or any other personal information to someone you don’t know.
The Lottery Scam
In this scam, the caller tells you that you’ve won a lottery or contest. They may say that you’ve won a vacation, a car, or a large sum of money.
They will then say that you need to pay taxes or fees before you can collect your prize. They may ask for your credit card number or insist that you buy a gift card and give them the code.
This is a scam because there is no way to win a lottery or contest that you didn’t enter. And even if you did enter, you would never have to pay taxes or fees upfront.
Although it may be tempting to believe that you’ve won a large sum of money, don’t let yourself be scammed.
To avoid being scammed, hang up if someone calls and tells you that you’ve won a prize. And never give out your credit card number or any other personal information to someone you don’t know.
Final Words
These are some of the most common phone scams that can steal your money. Remember to be suspicious of anyone who calls you out of the blue and offers you a prize or service. And never give out your personal information to someone you don’t know.
If you think you’ve been scammed, hang up and report it to the FTC as soon as possible. Don’t give in to pressure to act quickly or pay for something upfront. And never send money or give out your personal information to someone you don’t know. By being aware of these scams, you can protect yourself and your money. Stay safe!