Four Tips For Protecting Yourself From Phone Scams

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Four Tips For Protecting Yourself From Phone Scams_Chispa Magazine
Around 68 percent of cell phone and home phone users experience some form of spam phone calls or messages. These can be unwanted marketing or sales calls or calls about car accident compensation and PPI. Most people who have a home or mobile phone encounter problems with spammers at least once a week. Now, clearly call and text spamming is becoming an increasing problem for many people also.

You might be wondering why the government doesn’t do anything to target spam callers, but because they change numbers each day, it’s hard. Each spam call or text is sent from a different number, making the sender’s nearly impossible to trace. Preventing spammers from getting in touch with you can be tricky, but here are four tips that should help:

  1. Hang Up

As soon as you realize that a phone call is spam, hang up on the caller immediately. Whether the caller says they are from a government agency or a prize draw company, hang up.

Be wary, ask yourself would a government agency really call out of the blue? No, of course not, they would send letters first. If a company claiming you have won a prize draw calls up, don’t fall for it, it’s just another scam. Unless you have recently entered a prize draw competition, then chances are, you haven’t won anything.

  1. Never Call Back

If you have a missed call from a number you don’t know, don’t make the mistake of calling them back. Calling back will only lead to trouble, it will either end in you having to pay out for the call or a scammer getting your details.

In many scams, including the ‘one ring scam’ the numbers used will look like local numbers so that you call the number back. Then when you do, a hefty charge is applied to your phone bill, and the cash pocketed by the company, you called.

  1. Block Suspicious Numbers

If you are contacted by a scam company or have a missed call from a suspicious number, block the number immediately. By blocking the number, you can then prevent any further calls or messages being sent to you by the caller. While there are plenty of apps that can block callers, you can also use your phone to block them. Most smartphones have a setting that allows you to select a particular number and choose to block it.

  1. Do Your Research

When you receive a call or message from a suspicious number, block them and then research the number. Use the Internet or phone listings apps, like CallSmarter, to have a look at the feedback others have given on the number.

If there is no other information on the number, start your own thread and upload all the information and details you have. Things like the type of company who called you, what they wanted to know, what details they asked for, etc.

Photo by Gilles Lambert

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Milo Senalle

Milo Senalle

Managing Editor at Chispa Magazine
As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.

Milo Senalle

As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.