How to Avoid Scam Calls

Scammers are always looking for new ways to pull one over on the average citizen, but one method continues to stand the test of time: The Phone Scam. There are a lot of phone scams out there, including robocalls, impersonators and even text scams.Here are some ways that you can stay safe:

• Try and stop it before it begins. Put your number on the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry, download a call blocking app that recognizes spam calls, be wary of answering unknown callers and hang up immediately on robocalls.
  
  
• Be skeptical. Scammers like to pretend to be banks or government agencies to trick you, but legitimate organizations will never call, text or email you asking for your personal information.
  
  
• Resist pressure to act right away. Phone scammers will try and pressure you into giving whatever they want right away, but real businesses will give you time to make a decision. Take your time and do your research.
  
  
• Talk to somebody you trust. Before you do anything, tell a friend or family member about what happened. If you think it may be legitimate, contact the organization from a website or phone number that you know is trustworthy to verify.Americans lost nearly $30 billion to scam calls* in 2021 so it’s incredibly important to stay vigilant. When in doubt, just hang up. If you or somebody you know were scammed or a victim of a scamming attempt, file a complaint by reporting it online to the Federal Trade Commission or by calling 877-382-4357.
  
  

* Source Truecaller Insights 2021 U.S. Spam & Scam Report