Scammer Phone Number Lookup: What You Need to Know

Lily Evans - October 20, 2024

Scam phone calls are unfortunately fairly common these days, and scam phone calls are only made worse as virtually everyone has access to a mobile phone. The popularity of cell phones has led to an increase in scamming phone calls, and scammers are constantly finding new ways to make thousands of calls a minute, all searching for their next unfortunate victim. 

Our article gives you details on looking up a scammer’s phone number, in addition to other important information that can help you avoid phone scams.

What Is the Best Way to Look up a Scammer’s Phone Number?

The best way to research a scammer’s phone number is to use an online phone number lookup tool. These tools are generally free, and they can help you figure out if the number calling your phone is legitimate or not. 

Most of the time, a phone lookup tool will tell you if the number is a commonly known number used for scams, but you may also get no results. 

If you do not find any details whatsoever connected to a phone number, you can assume that it is a spoofed number or a phone number that is associated with scamming. Most legitimate phone numbers will have a valid name or details assigned to them.

Warning Signs of a Scammer Phone Number

The following warning signs indicate that a phone number may be from a scammer instead of a valid caller. If you have any suspicions about a phone call, it is always better to play it safe and screen the call or let the caller leave a voicemail so you can be sure of who is calling.

Scammer phone call warning signs include:

• The phone number has an international area code but the rest of the number looks local
• The phone number is very similar to your own phone number
• The caller ID does not match the phone number; for example, an international number with a local company name
• The phone only rings once and no voicemail is left
• Upon answering, the caller claims to have urgent information or makes demands for personal information such as social security numbers, bank account details, or personal details

What Do I Do if I Answer a Scammer Phone Number?

If you accidentally answer a scammer’s phone number, don’t panic. It is important to get off the phone as soon as possible and to refrain from giving the scammer any of your personal information.

In the case that the person on the phone is claiming they are from a government or state agency, you should look up the phone number they are calling from. If it is a legitimate number, the contact webpage of the agency should appear.

Additionally, if you are suspicious about a phone call you are on, you can always hang up and look up the correct phone number online. Call that number once you are sure it is the legitimate number for an agency and then ask if they have called you, or attempt to follow up on the issue you were phoned about. 

These are the safest ways to ensure a phone call is legitimate and not from a scammer.

Common Phone Scams to Be Aware Of

There are numerous phone scams around today, and it is important to be aware of these phone scams in order to identify them and stop yourself from becoming a victim. While you are educating yourself about phone scams, you may also want to take the time to educate others in your life, especially elderly individuals who are susceptible to phone scams.

One Ring Scams

One ring scams are scams where the scammer will call your phone and allow the call to ring once. Then, the call ends, and the scammer waits for you to call them back to figure out who was calling. 

However, once you call back, you can be hit with extreme fees and international costs, and the scammer will collect this money while trying to keep you on the phone for as long as possible.

Government Phone Scams

Government phone scams are when a scammer calls your phone while claiming to be from a state or federal government agency. These might include the Social Security Administration, the Veteran’s Administration, or local healthcare agencies like Medicare and Medicaid services. 

When they have you on the phone, the scammer will attempt to gain your personal information and steal your identity or financial information.

Family Member Injured Phone Scams

These phone scams are among the most reprehensible, as they involve a scammer calling or even texting a phone number, claiming that a family member or someone you love is injured or arrested. They may claim that they need your information to identify the person or that you need to hand over your financial details over the phone in order to post bail. 

However, the end goal of the scammer is the prey on your fears and panic in order to steal your identity and money.

Romance Phone Scams

Romance phone scams occur when a scammer makes contact with a person either via phone call or texting, pretending to be in love with that person or forming a close relationship with them. They will then repeatedly ask for the person to send them things like money and personal information, as a test of their bond or love. 

Individuals who are isolated, such as senior citizens, may easily fall for this kind of scam.

Virus Phone Scams

Virus phone scams happen when someone calls your phone and pretends they are from a software company or from an anti-virus company. They will ask for your details and maybe access to your computer so they can help you block the virus and save your information. 

If you give the scammer access to your computer, they will attempt to lock you out of it until you pay them money. Or, they will illegally access your saved personal information, such as your bank details and Social Security number.

Lottery Phone Scams

Lottery phone scams happen when a scammer calls a phone number and tells the person who answers that they have won something. They will be asked to put down money to hold their prize, or they may be asked for their personal details as verification they are the prize winner. 

This phone call scam is similar to the refund scam. Scammers will claim that a person’s account has been charged and that they need their details to either reverse the order or correct the amount of money taken out of an account. Once they have these details, they may steal a person’s money or information.

How Do I Block a Scammer Phone Number?

Blocking a scammer’s phone number is fortunately not too difficult these days, and today’s cell phones typically offer plenty of options for screening suspicious calls and blocking spam numbers.

When you are receiving a spam or scam phone call, you can select the option to screen the call. If the call turns out to be a scam, you can tap the option to block the number, and you may also want to report it to spam. Depending on your messaging and phone call app, you can review a list of blocked and spam numbers as needed.

I Accidentally Gave Personal Information to a Scammer – What Now?

If you have accidentally given out your sensitive personal information to someone who you later realized is a scammer, you have a few choices. First of all, you can report the phone number that called you to government agencies; the FTC has a fraud reporting option on their website, for example.

Then, you should take steps to lock down all of your personal information. Freeze your credit reports, report your bank details as compromised, and change all of your passwords to your social media accounts or other online accounts. Replace your bank cards as needed, and report your Social Security number as potentially compromised.

From there, all you can do is block the scammer’s number on your phone and refrain from answering any other suspicious numbers. Once a scammer has identified a potential victim, they may keep harassing them until it is more than obvious they will get no further details.

If you are helping out a family member who has accidentally given personal information to a scammer, you can help them complete these steps and work with them on damage control.

Protecting Your Information From Phone Scams

Phone scams are some of the most annoying invoices around today, and they can also be some of the most insidious, as phone call scammers tend to prey on the vulnerable. 

By completing a scammer phone number lookup and doing your due diligence when it comes to screening and researching phone numbers that call you, you can protect your personal information. Then, you can ensure that you are aware of potential phone call scams.