How to Protect Yourself From Scam Calls

Telephone fraud is a prevalent issue, and even cautious individuals can become victims of experienced scammers.

From shock calls to the infamous grandchild scam, as well as calls impersonating banks and authorities, criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit our fears, willingness to help, or curiosity, often combined with a lack of risk awareness.

The consequences of falling for these scams can range from financial loss to significant emotional distress. However, there are effective ways to protect yourself against fraud by staying vigilant, acting cautiously, and utilizing modern technology. In this article, we will discuss how to identify common telephone scams and what specific measures you can take to safeguard yourself against fraudulent calls on both mobile and landline phones.

Typical scams: What to expect at the moment

Fraudulent calls can take various forms but often follow similar psychological patterns. It can be beneficial, especially if you have elderly family members, to educate them about common scam tactics so they can be prepared.

Here are some of the most prevalent scams currently:

The grandchild trick

This scam, although not new, continues to be successful. It typically involves a supposed family member contacting you in distress, claiming to be in urgent need of money for a fabricated emergency.

These scammers target older individuals, assuming they are more likely to be helpful and less tech-savvy.

Tip: Establish a code word within your family that only authorized members know. This can help you verify the identity of callers.

Fake police officers or bank employees

Fraudsters impersonate public authorities or bank employees, claiming there has been a security breach and requesting immediate action to secure your money.

Note: Legitimate authorities or bank representatives will not ask for money transfers over the phone.

Technical support

Scammers pose as tech support representatives from companies like Microsoft or Apple, claiming your devices are infected with malware and need immediate attention. This often leads to personal data theft or financial loss.

Important: Reputable companies do not make unsolicited calls for tech support. End such calls promptly.

Lottery prizes and fake competitions

Callers falsely claim you have won a prize but require a fee for processing or activation. Victims end up losing the fee without receiving any prize.

Ping calls

These calls only ring briefly to entice you into calling back, leading to high charges or automatic debits on your phone bill.

Typical dialing codes used: 216 (Tunisia), 252 (Somalia), 387 (Bosnia). Beware of unknown international calls.

Shock calls

Scammers use emotional manipulation, such as fabricating accidents or emergencies involving your loved ones, to extort money or personal information from you.

Recognising warning signs – how to see through the scammers

By recognizing common scam tactics and paying attention to suspicious callers, you can protect yourself from falling victim to fraud. Most scammers rely on psychological manipulation techniques, such as fear, urgency, or confusion. By staying alert and refusing to be pressured, you can often identify and avoid scams after a few interactions.

Here are typical characteristics of telephone scammers and their tactics:

• Emotional pressure/blackmail: Scammers try to evoke fear, pressure, or pity to manipulate victims.
• Threats: They may threaten legal action or harm to coerce victims into compliance.
• High urgency: Scammers create time pressure to prevent victims from seeking advice or assistance.
• Hidden numbers or foreign dialing codes: Calls often come from anonymous or international numbers.
• Strange language: Scam calls may involve poor language skills or noticeable accents.

What to do in an emergency

If you suspect a caller is a fraudster, here’s how to respond effectively:

• Ask specific questions: Challenge the caller with detailed inquiries to expose inconsistencies in their story.
• Don’t rush: Legitimate callers will respect your need for time to make decisions. Be cautious of anyone pressuring you for immediate action.
• Speak out loud: Verbally announce your actions, like contacting the authorities, to deter scammers.
• Hang up: You have the right to end the call if you feel uncomfortable or suspicious. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Check the number: Verify suspicious numbers using online services before returning calls.
• Inform others: Educate your family and friends, especially older individuals, about common scams and how to avoid them.

Technical protective measures: Get the hardware to help you

Enhance your protection against scams by utilizing appropriate settings and devices:

Improve scam protection on your smartphone

Activate call blocking: Use built-in features on iOS and Android to filter out unknown or blocked numbers.

• iOS: Settings > Phone > Mute unknown callers
• Android: Phone app > Settings > Blocked numbers

Install caller recognition apps: Utilize apps that identify known scammers or suspicious numbers to safeguard yourself.

Improve scam protection on your landline

Implement strategies and tools to protect your landline from scammers:

Use phones with blocking features: Modern DECT phones offer block lists or automatic call blocking for suppressed numbers.

Set up a blacklist/whitelist: Some devices and routers allow you to block or allow specific numbers.

Check with your provider: Explore options provided by your phone service provider to block unwanted calls.

What to do if you receive a suspected spam call

Stay calm and follow these steps when dealing with a potentially fraudulent call:

• Hang up: End the call if you suspect fraud, and avoid disclosing personal information.
• Verify: Call back using official numbers, not those provided by the caller, to confirm the legitimacy of the call.
• Document: Record the phone number, call details, and consider reporting the incident to the authorities.

Report suspected scam calls to relevant authorities, such as the National Cyber Security Centre or the Federal Trade Commission.

Tips for everyday life

Follow these simple rules to minimize the risk of scams in your daily life:

• Limit sharing personal information: Be cautious, especially online or on unfamiliar websites.
• Avoid calling back: Refrain from returning calls from unknown numbers or missed international calls.
• Inform family members: Educate older family members about common scams to protect them.
• Use a neutral voicemail: Avoid revealing personal details on your voicemail greeting.
• Utilize data deletion services: Remove personal data from online platforms to minimize exposure.

By familiarizing yourself with common scam tactics, staying alert to warning signs, and leveraging technology, you can effectively identify and deflect scam calls. Remember to remain vigilant and openly discuss the topic, especially with vulnerable individuals in your community.