Phone Phishing Identity Theft Scams
With the growth of the internet and other technology, the threat of identity theft is more prevalent than ever before. You must not only be cautious about how you use your computer and the internet, but you must also pay close attention to your phone.
National Public Employee Alliance knows just how important it is to understand and be aware about the signs of phone phishing scams and learn how you can protect yourself before you fall victim.
What is Phone Phishing?
Phone phishing is sometimes referred to as voice phishing and it is the process in which a caller pretends to be an employee at a legitimate company and then ask for personal, highly sensitive information in order to try and steal someone’s money and/or identity.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that around 77 percent of all their fraud complaints were involving phone phishing scams.
Additionally, these phone phishers tend to use Voice over Internet Protocol which allows them to many thousands of calls all at the same time. This software makes it difficult for law enforcement officials to trace the calls, as they are completed over the internet.
Scam #1 – Business Listing Scams
One of the most popular phone scams involves targeting small businesses. On the phone, the scammer will inform the business owner that there is an issue with their search listing on the internet and that the problem can only be fixed if a fee is paid.
The goal behind this scam is to gain access to the business owner’s credit card information, which then puts the entirety of the business at stake.
These scams and more are all the reasons why identity insurance is necessary for business owners.
Scam #2 – Fake Debt Collectors and Loan Scams
Oftentimes, scammers will use the information they have stolen from legitimate loan applications and then call the applicants in order to trick them into thinking they are able to reduce their interest rate or have them believe they have missed a payment.
These scam callers tend to be very convincing and intimidating to many. This leads to many being very nervous and accidentally providing the highly sensitive information to the scammers.
Scam #3 – Free Vacation Scams
The vacation scam is another very popular phone phishing tactic. With the vacation scam, scammers are working to convince individuals on the phone that they have either won a free or very low-cost vacation and that all they must do to claim the trip is pay additional taxes and fees.
With this scam, the caller is looking to gain valuable credit card information from users, as these vacations never take place.
Next Steps to Take if You Are Victim of Phone Phishing
Phone phishing scams are not only becoming more common, but they are also becoming harder to recognize and stop.
Purchasing an identity insurance plan from the National Public Employee Alliance is one way to ensure you are protected if you fall victim to phishing. To learn more about the different premiums, contact an insurance agent today.
Get Identity Theft Insurance for $7 a month with National Public Employee Alliance!
Fill out the form below and we will be in contact with you soon!
