Phone scams are a billion-dollar business in the United States, and scammers are getting more sophisticated every year. While many of us believe we’re immune to falling prey to these scams, the reality is that a full 10% of us do – and most of these people are the elderly, at-risk populations, or individuals in crisis.
Here’s what you need to know.
This post is sponsored by Twigby. Twigby is a value-priced mobile carrier committed to the safety of its senior customers.
How do phone scams work?
Scammers reach out to victims through personal phone calls, robo-calls, or (less frequently) text messages. They create a sense of urgency and fear to try get them to pay money or share personal information and steal their identify. Some common scams are:
The Grandchild Scam: Scammers lead the victim to believe their grandchild is in danger, financial trouble, or jail, and the grandparent needs to pay money immediately to get their grandchild out of trouble.
The IRS Scam: This is particularly prevalent during tax time. Scammers call and tell the victim they owe money to the IRS. They are threatened with jail or other consequences if they don’t pay immediately.
The Social Security Scam: Victims are told that their social security number has been “suspended” and that they need to resolve the situation. They are asked to share their social security number with the scammer, or are prompted to pay a fee to “reactivate” their number.
The Utility Company Scam: This is common during the cold winter months. Scammers posing as a utility company threaten that their utility will be shut off without paying a fake “outstanding balance.”
The Good News Scam: Victims are told they’ve won a contest, trip, or have the opportunity to invest in a too-good-to-be-true opportunity. In order to redeem their prize, they need to share personal information or pay a fee/deposit.
The Disaster Relief Scam: After a natural disaster, scammers will pose as relief agencies or insurance companies and ask for their victim’s financial account information so they can “help” them get emergency relief funds or an insurance payout.
How can I protect those I love from phone scams?
If you have people in your life who are at risk for phone scams, talk to them. Never assume that your parents, neighbors, or family members are “too smart” to fall victim to these attempts. The predators are savvy, and it’s important to have an overt conversation about what types of phone calls should raise red flags for them.
Go over these tips:
Never give personal or financial information over the phone. Government agencies will never call you and ask for money. Neither will most utility or insurance companies. If you are cold-called by someone you don’t know, never give them money or other personal information no matter how urgent they make the situation sound or how severe the consequences they are threatening.
Hang up and call back. If you believe there may be some truth to a phone request about a balance owed (for example, to a utility company), hang up, look up the company’s direct phone number on their website, and call it yourself to follow up so you are guaranteed to be speaking with a legitimate representative of the company. Never call the phone number displayed on your phone, and don’t return a phone call to a number the solicitor gives you.
Don’t say “yes” to unknown callers. Scammers may record your “yes” and use it as permission to charge your credit card. Encourage your family members to find alternate ways to answer questions, such as “This is she….” or “How can I help you?”
Ask for help. Tell your family members that you are always available to help them determine whether a request is legitimate. If they are nervous about a phone call, tell them to hang up and call you right away and you are happy to do the research for them.
If you’re looking for affordable and reliable cell phone service for your aging parents or other family members, Twigby is the solution for you. With flexible plans starting at $9 a month, Twigby operates on the nation’s largest and most reliable network so you’re getting brand-name coverage and reliability for a fraction of the price. And for a limited time, get 25% off your first six months of coverage.
Twigby offers basic easy-to-use phones along with value-priced smartphones – but smartphones don’t need to be complicated! Learn more about cell plans for seniors along with their most recommended apps to help seniors live their best life including a magnifying glass, medication reminder, and brain-bending puzzles to keep the mind sharp!
Encourage your loved ones to switch to Twigby today – they’ll be shocked at how much they can save!
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