How to protect yourself against scam callers

WATCH YOUR STEP

by Laurie Bullock

laurieb@lwsb.com

Scammers can be relentless, especially once they get you on a phone call. Their main strategy is to scare or overwhelm you once you pick up the phone, so that it is more difficult to make a clear and rational decision.

A scammer could tell you a number of different stories to get important information from you. They could pretend to be a grandchild in trouble or a medicare representative, or they could even pose as something positive such as a lottery or sweepstakes company; whatever story they come up with, it’s important to remain as calm as possible and do what you can to protect yourself.

One easy way to avoid scam calls is to send all unknown callers straight to voicemail. Scammers search out easy targets who do not have time to think things through, so they will not leave a voicemail asking for you to call them back.

If you are worried about missing a call from a friend you don’t have saved in your contacts or from a doctor’s office, remember that the people you know or who have a legitimate need to contact you will either leave a voicemail or will send you a text.

While it won’t stop every scammer from calling your phone, you can register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. Register your number by calling 1-888382-1222. This will prevent most, if not all telemarketers from being able to call you, and the rest of the blocked or unknown numbers will likely be a scam.

Smart phone users can use apps or change their phone settings to send unknown callers straight to voicemail. iPhone users can set this up by going to their settings, choosing the “phone” option, selecting the “Silence Unknown Callers” option, and sliding the toggle button on.

Android users can use apps such as the Call Blocker Free, Privacy Star or RoboKiller, or contact their service provider to see the in-network solutions available to them.

If you do pick up the phone and suspect it is a scam, hang up immediately. Do not feel guilty or think you are being rude for hanging up on someone midsentence without an explanation. The scammer who is trying to take advantage of you is the one who is rude, and you are within your right to protect yourself by hanging up on them. The scammer might call back immediately a few times, but keep sending their call to voicemail until they stop calling.