You are most likely dealing with a scam when you get a phone call and the person on the other end is threatening you with legal action if you don't pay them money.If you interact with someone like this, it's important to report them to the right people so that they can be stopped.The phone scam should be reported to governmental agencies and law enforcement authorities so that others don't fall for it.You should report the call to the companies and agencies that were mentioned in the scam so that they can try to stop it.
Step 1: You should report the scam.
The Federal Trade Commission in the US can be reached by phone or online.If you suspect an international scam, you should report it to the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network.There is a website for consumer protection agency complaints.The website for reporting international scam can be found at: https://www.econsumer.gov.
Step 2: Contact the agency that is in charge of phone communications.
The FCC is in the US.The FCC has an online complaint form that you can fill out.By contacting the FCC, you are helping the agency track down numbers that are being used for illegal and fraudulent activities.The FCC's online complaint form can be found at: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us.
Step 3: If the scam is financial, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Your financial security is at risk from any scam call that attempts to get your financial information.There is a way to file a complaint on their website.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is supposed to protect your interests when it comes to this kind of scam.It is possible to file a complaint at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/.
Step 4: Contact the law-enforcement bureaus if you are a victim of a scam.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and your local Attorney General's office are the agencies that deal with most scam artists.If you have received a scam call, you can call their general number.The FBI has a website where you can contact them.The name of your state and the words "attorney general contact information" can be found by doing an online search.
Step 5: If you have received a scam call, email the IRS.
There are a lot of phone calls that say they are from the IRS and that you need to pay your taxes or face arrest.Send an email to the IRS with the subject line "IRS Phone scam" if you get one of these calls.The exact location and time that you received the call should be included in the email.
Step 6: If you suspect identity theft, you should contact the Social Security Agency.
It's easy to report this kind of problem to the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration.The website to report fraud can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/fraudreport/oig/public_fraud_reporting/form.htm.Potential identity theft calls include those that request your personal information, such as your social security number or bank account numbers.The caller may say you owe medical bills or that you don't have enough money to pay them, so you need to provide information to clear it up.There are calls that claim to be from the SSA and those that try to get your social security number.
Step 7: During a scam call, contact agencies and businesses are named.
It's a good idea to call the customer service number of the actual company to let them know that their name is being used in a scam.This is true for a government agency.If someone calls you and wants your personal information for the census bureau, you should call them and tell them that they're not real.
Step 8: If you receive scam calls, make a report to your telephone provider.
It's a good idea to let the phone company know that the number is being used for illegal activity if you keep getting scam calls.The FCC may be able to work with providers to block the number of the scam artist.You can report a number being used for a scam by calling the general customer service number of your phone company.
Step 9: Someone is suspected of a scam call.
There are many scam callers that claim to be with the IRS, a law enforcement, or a financial institution and use fear to get your money.You will be in legal trouble if you don't pay them.If you get one of these calls, hang up the phone.
Step 10: It's a good idea to be suspicious of calls that claim to have won a prize.
A classic phone scam is one that claims you won a prize and you just need to pay the shipping cost, taxes, or related fees to claim it.The person asks for your financial information.You should hang up the phone if you get a call like this.
Step 11: Do you know what common things scam artists say?
Swindlers use a variety of standard lines to lure you into giving them money or information.If you hear any of these lines, hang up the phone and think of a scam: "You've been selected for a special offer."You can get a bonus prize if you buy our product.You've won something.You just won money in a lottery.We're looking for investors who have a high return on investment.To get this great offer, you need to make a decision immediately.Do you trust me, don't you?It's not necessary to check our company out with anyone.You need to put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card.
Step 12: You should trust your instincts.
People feel guilty when they suspect a scam.If you get a call that doesn't feel right, hang up the phone.It's always better to be safe than sorry.If you're worried that the caller might be lying, you can simply hang up the phone and call the company yourself.If the caller is above board, you should be able to do this.
Step 13: It's a block.
It's possible to block the caller in the future if you keep getting calls from the same number.Go into your call records in your phone and tap the button that says "block this caller" or something similar.The blocked number won't be able to connect to your number after you hit the button.Swindlers use a wide variety of numbers to run their scam, so this technique won't keep them at bay for long.It will make it more difficult to get through.
Step 14: All unknown callers should be blocked.
If you're tired of getting calls from numbers you don't know, you can set your smart phone to send unknown callers to your voicemail.You can ask your phone provider to block callers if you have a landline.You won't have your phone ringing all the time if you leave a message on the scam callers' line.Businesses will not be able to get a hold of you directly if you block scam calls.You may not be able to do this if your phone number is a business line.It's a better way to use a personal phone line.
Step 15: Put your phone number on the Do Not Call list.
There is a national registry for people who don't want to get calls.You can join the list by calling (888) 382-1222 or online at www.donotcall.gov.Many organizations are not required to follow the Do Not Call registry.This includes organizations and businesses who have an established relationship with you, non-profit organizations, and those businesses or organizations that you have given contact permission to.
Step 16: It's a good idea to install call- blocking software on your phone.
If you get a lot of scam calls, you should install an app that blocks unlisted callers.Most brands of smart phones have these apps available for a small fee.