With the advent of technology, scammers have become more sophisticated in their methods. But some still just like to pick up the phone and call somebody. Phone scams are still a thing, and you need to be aware of them. Here are some of the most common phone scams to watch out for in 2022:
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The “Can You Hear Me?” Scam
This has been around a while, but it is still being used today. The scammer calls and says something like, “Can you hear me?” or “Is this your phone number?” If you answer “yes” to these questions, they will then use your voice recording to sign you up for services or charges.
This is a particularly difficult scam to avoid because it will often catch you by surprise. Try to be aware of this scam and be ready to hang up the phone if you receive a call like this.
If you think you got caught, hang up immediately and call your phone company to see if there are any unwanted charges on your bill. You might also be able to put a freeze on your account to prevent further charges.
The “IRS” Scam
In this scam, where the caller pretends to be from the IRS and tries to trick you into paying them money. They may say that you owe taxes or fees, and if you don’t pay them, you will be arrested or have your assets seized. The IRS will never call you and demand immediate payment, so if you get a call like this, it’s a scam.
Hang up immediately and do not give the caller any information. You can also report the call to the IRS and to the police. See if you can use a reverse phone lookup site to catch the caller’s information and then report them. Unfortunately, many scammers these days are using Google numbers or other internet-based phone services, so it can be difficult to track them down. However, this definitely gives the police a possible lead that they can investigate.
The “Free” Trial Scam
Nothing is ever free when it comes to scammers. In this bout of trickery, they will offer you a free trial of a product or service, but when the trial period is up, they will start billing you for the full amount, often without you realizing it. They might even sign you up for a recurring subscription.
Now, there are many legitimate businesses that use a model similar to this, but they are obligated to inform you of when the trial period is over and how much the full price will be. If you’re not sure, always ask before giving out your credit card information.
However, less scrupulous businesses will try to trick you, so be aware of this scam. Pay attention to the conditions (and fine print) of any free trial you sign up for, and cancel before the trial is over if you don’t want to continue using the product or service.
The “Tech Support” Scam
The tech support scam is one that has been around for a while, but it is still being used today. In this scam, the caller will pretend to be from a tech support company and try to have you give them remote access to your computer. They will then install malware or viruses on your computer, or they will simply steal your personal information.
Never give someone you don’t know and trust remote access to your computer. If you get a call like this, do not give the caller any information. You can also report the call to the police or to the Federal Trade Commission.
The “Grandparent” Scam
This is a particularly heartless scam, where the caller will pretend to be your grandchild or another family member in need of money. They might say that they are stranded in another country and need money for a plane ticket, or they might say that they are in jail and need money for bail.
This scam is preying on people’s good nature, so be aware of it. If you get a call like this, do not give the caller any money. Hang up and call your grandchild or other family member to make sure they are safe. You can also report the call to the police.
Conclusion
There are many scams out there, and new ones are being created all the time. The best way to protect yourself is to be aware of the most common scams and to never give your info or money to someone you don’t know. If you think you’ve been scammed, do everything you can to protect yourself and then report the scam to the authorities. With everyone’s help, we can make the world a little bit safer for everyone.
