2 weeks Ago By Matthew Mohan-Hickson
Crime Phone scams: how to identify scam phone calls - and tips to protect yourself By Matthew Mohan-Hickson Digitial Reporter Published 9th Nov 2024, 09:03 GMT Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Protect yourself as scams become more common 🚨 Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK.
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This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice and Terms of Service apply. Virgin Media O2 has called on the government to make tackling fraud a priority. Nearly seven in ten Brits have reported being targeted by scammers.
Expert issues advice on how to identify scam calls. Phone scams have unfortunately become an all too common part of modern life. From dodgy text messages to devious AI voice cloning schemes.
Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It has become such a scourge that Virgin Media O2 has called on the government to make tackling fraud a priority and to appoint a dedicated minister tasked with solving the issue. The telecommunications giant has warned that professional fraud gangs are persistently and aggressively targeting the public, with nearly seven in ten Brits (69%) reporting that they’ve been targeted by scammers. Last year alone, the operator intercepted and blocked over £250 million in suspected fraudulent transactions — equivalent to stopping one every two minutes.
New Freedom of Information (FOI) data reveals the police are suffering from a chronic lack of resourcing, with just 84 fraud convictions originating from each police force on average last year and three forces having no officers dedicated to investigating the crime. Sometimes, it can be difficult to distinguish between a phone scam and cold calling. A cold call is an unsolicited phone call from a company or individual you've never interacted with before, usually attempting to sell you something.
However, it’s crucial to recognise the warning signs of a phone scam to avoid falling victim and losing your hard-earned money. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In light of this, Matthew Yates, VP of Engineering at MaxContact , a contact centre software specialist, highlights the most common types of phone scams consumers need to watch out for. As well as issuing advice for how you can protect yourself from them.
Phone scams to watch out for Impersonation scams: an unexpected call from a scammer claiming to be from your bank's fraud department, urging you to transfer money to a 'safe' account, only to vanish with your money. It’s likely scammers will be impersonating the police, utility providers or government departments during these calls. Debt collector scam: involves someone pretending to be a legitimate debt collector and pressuring you to pay a debt you do not owe.
They use threats and aggressive tactics. HMRC scams: scammers may call claiming to be from HMRC, accusing you of underpaying your tax. They may leave automated voicemails threatening legal action or send emails and text messages urging you to call a fraudulent number.
Investment and financial scams: these scam calls typically involve someone calling unexpectedly with fake investment opportunities that promise high returns or safe, risk-free opportunities but are designed to steal your money or identity. Prize draw scams: a phone call claiming that you've won a prize or the lottery, with the fraudster inventing a story to hide the fact you don't remember entering a competition. They typically ask for your personal or financial information to receive the prize or money.
Charity scams: occur when scammers impersonate legitimate charities to solicit donations over the phone, typically using emotional appeals. The hoax calls usually claim to support causes such as medical research, disaster relief, or community aid. How to identify scam calls? A person looks at their bank card and mobile phone.
PIC: Alamy/PA Ask for the caller’s name and employer One of the first things you should do if you suspect you are being scammed over the phone is ask for more information about the caller and their employer. If they hesitate or refuse to answer, this could be a sign you are being scammed. If they give you their name and employer, tell them you'll research their company before agreeing.
You can also call the company's main office to verify if they are legitimate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ask for proof of their location If you suspect the call may be a hoax, another important question to ask is for proof of their location. If the caller is evasive or tries to change the subject, this could be a red flag indicating a scam.
Ask what the purpose of the call is If the caller immediately asks for personal information or money, this is a strong indication that it may be a scam, particularly if you haven't heard of the organisation before. Before providing any details, ask what the purpose of the call is to better understand the situation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Based on their reaction, you should be able to determine whether it’s a legitimate call.
It’s unusual to give personal details or money over the phone to an unknown person. Read More Oasis scams: how much have fans lost to ticket scams? Scams: 10 fastest growing scams targeting Brits in 2024 - how to watch for WhatsApp scam: warning over ‘friend-in-need’ scams and what you should do if you get a message Parking scams: warning amid ‘shocking’ rise in parking fine scams - what to watch for Find out more about the business or organisation they claim to represent If the caller is requesting donations for a charity or claiming to be debt collectors, you should ask for more information about the organisation. For example, how much of your donation goes towards the charity’s mission or what the total amount owed to the debt collectors is - including fees and interest.
You can also take the time to research the organisation yourself if you’re still unsure whether they are legitimate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ask for a reference number If you wish to research the business, organisation, or even the caller to verify they are who they claim to be, you can always ask for a reference number for the call. This allows you to get back to them in the future, should you decide to follow up.
Expert tips to protect yourself Be sceptical of unknown callers If it’s legitimate, they will likely have a Caller ID and leave a voicemail. Never disclose personal or financial information over the phone If you’re at all suspicious about the call, end it immediately and block the number. If you believe a call to be fraudulent, report it to Action Fraud via their helpline or website.
Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Be wary of urgent requests Scammers usually create a sense of urgency to trick victims into making quick decisions. Are you concerned about the rise of phone scams in recent years? Share your thoughts by emailing me: [email protected] . Continue Reading Related topics: Boost Fraud Police Scammers.
