What Happens if You Answer a Scam Call

Michelle Wilson - December 10, 2022

Millions of people lose a lot of money annually to a scam call, with some being cheated out of their life savings. Scam artists have found multiple ways to cheat people out of money over the phone, whether through scare tactics or friendly service. In almost every case, criminals will use these calls to try and access your funds or personal information to commit identity theft. It’s imperative that you don’t give this information to them.

Here’s everything you need to know about phone scams and how to avoid them.

The Typical Scam Call People Usually Encounter

A phone scam comes in many forms but often contains similar elements to lure victims. These calls often offer promises or threats, asking you to pay monetary fees or divulge personal details in the process.

There are No Prizes

Many callers will tell victims they were “selected” for an exclusive offer or prize. The premise of these scams is a small fee, typically for processing or validation before the request comes through. If you must pay to receive a prize, it’s not a prize.

Payment is Never Through Gift Card

Scammers will request wire transfers, gift cards, prepaid cards, or cash using a money transfer app to receive their payment. A legitimate company will never ask for payment through various gift cards, especially when acting as a government agency.

Your Government Information Doesn’t Change or Expire

Sensitive information is often used in identity theft, especially when multiple pieces are confirmed simultaneously. The IRS or Social Security Administration will never contact you to confirm these details, nor will these numbers expire at any time. If someone contacts you requesting these details, it’s a scam caller trying to steal your identity.

You Won’t be Arrested

Malicious actors will pretend to be law enforcement or government agencies attempting to recuperate a fine or tax. These callers will threaten arrest, further prosecution, or deport their victim unless a sizeable monetary amount is paid immediately. The goal of these calls is to scare the victim into paying immediately. Fortunately, law enforcement won’t call and threaten you, nor will they accept payment through iTunes or Amazon gift cards.

Decisions Should Take Time

Many legitimate businesses won’t pressure a client into deciding on the spot, allowing written information before asking you to commit. If someone is calling you and demanding a decision for a contract or service, hang up the phone. Most often, these services are for duct cleaning, vacations, or furnace repair.

The Calls are Probably Illegal

When a company is trying to sell you a product, they need written permission to contact you with robocalls. If you’re on the Do Not Call Registry, you should receive sales calls from companies you’ve never used. Companies contacting you outside these conditions are illegal, making it highly likely that it’s a scam.

What Can Happen if You Answer a Scam Call?

A spam caller preys on the vulnerable and unfamiliar. These calls occur quickly and often when we’re busy or preoccupied. If you fall victim to a scam caller, here are a few things to be wary of:

• You may face a hefty phone bill for the call. Many scam artists attach pay-per-minute lines to scam calls, trying to run up a victim’s phone bill as they ramble or talk aimlessly. At the end of the month, users are left with many accounts and no idea where they came from.
• You may end up paying for products or services you never purchased. A scam artist will use bait-and-switch to secure financing details, only to run up the balance on miscellaneous products or services. This tactic may also apply to individuals thinking they were getting one product, only to find themselves stuck with a high fee account that’s impossible to cancel.
• You run the risk of wasting considerable time on these calls. Scam artists will permanently mark your account and phone number as active, especially if you part with pieces of your identification on the call. If you’re noticing an influx of calls, that’s likely why.
• You risk wasting time and energy trying to resolve these issues. Many phone scams are complicated to resolve. Stolen identity requires continuous supervision of accounts and frequent contact with creditors.
• You may become depressed over time. Trying to recover is often tricky, with added stress and guilt of falling victim to these criminal acts. Many victims blame themselves and struggle with confidence for a long time.
• You run a risk of having your identity and information stolen. Small pieces of information can add up to large files for criminals. Confirming your phone number and address is enough to access specific financial details online.
• You may end up on the dark web. Many cybercriminals will gather personal information about a victim and place it for sale on the dark web. These accounts may include financial details, personal information (like contact details and Social Security), and medical reports. Over time, these accounts are used to open new accounts, run high balances, or commit medical fraud.

How to Stop Spam Calls

The easiest way to handle a scam call is to hang up the phone. If a company contacts you illegally, it’s not a business you’d like to use. If you get a robocall, don’t press any numbers or talk to a live agent. Doing so confirms the line is active and may increase the number of calls you receive.

Don’t Trust Your Caller ID

A scam artist will manipulate caller ID names and phone numbers to help them appear more credible. This action is called spoofing, which makes a fake number seem legitimate. Unfortunately, this means that a phone call from “Social Security Administration” could still be a scam artist.

Use Call Blocking

A scammer will use the internet to make various calls around the world. These individuals don’t care if you’re registered with the Do Not Call Registry. The best defense users have against these calls is to block the number. Using this feature will depend on your phone type, but it prevents further calls from coming through.

Conclusion

A spam caller is any contact with an outside person or agency trying to manipulate the victim into divulging personal information. Always remain diligent about your personal information, especially anyone contacting you directly. These details may vary but may include financial accounts or personal identifying information. Government agencies and financial institutions won’t randomly contact you to confirm details over the phone. When in doubt, hang up the call and look up the phone number directly to ensure the conversation is authentic and genuine.