Scammers use various means and ways to scam with people. Go through our help document to find out the common scams and ways to report the same. Below given are the most common scam types and means to report.
- Tech Support Scams: While working on mobile or computer, users may receive calls on screen pops from scammers. The scammers pretend as Microsoft or an anti-virus Company. Scammers may claim that a virus or an error is damaging the system. Then the scammers ask for access to computer and ask for payment details. Consumers can report the tech scam online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call at 877-382-4357.
- Phishing: Customers may receive calls, texts, emails, or mails from scammers pretended as companies or HR agents. In this type scammers ask for social security number, credit card number, bank account info and passwords. Report the scam to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission (FTC)) online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 between (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET).
- Emergency Scams: This type of scam involves calls or emails from someone claiming to be a friend or family member in dire need. Scammers use practice called "spoofing", and using information available on the Internet. Report disaster and emergency scams at the National Center for Disaster Fraud's by calling 866-720-5721 .
- IRS or Government Imposter Scams: This scam extracts information from users like taxes and ask to pay immediately. Report all unsolicited email claiming an IRS-related function to phishing@irs.gov.
- Home Repair Scams: Scammers visit the home and claims door-to-door home improvement offers. Don't trust stranger persons for home repair. Call the home repair companies to verify the home repair service.
How to Identify Scams or Scammers?
Scammers always use some common tactics or methods to do fraud. Check for the signs of a scams mentioned below:
Fake Calls: Scammers collect personal information and contacts from different sources and contact the individual. Ask for registration, payments, prizes, etc. to trap the customer.
Lottery and Prizes: Scammers make calls and promises lottery money, a big prize, a shopping spree, and an easy loans.
Personal Information: You may receive calls, claiming from bank, tax office or, etc. These scammers want contact and bank details. Check the calls before sharing personal information.
Pay First: Scammers promise jobs or prizes but ask for registration fees and advance payments. Report the scams asking for any types of advance payments.
Check for Identity Theft Scams
The most common scam is an identity theft. Scammers stole the personal information and misuse the same for withdrawing money from accounts, credit or debit cards. The identity theft information is also used to create fake credit cards, file taxes, or get medical services.
What are the Warning Signs of ID Theft?If you are a victim of identity theft then you may face the below issues.
- Bills for items you didn't buy
- Debt collection calls for accounts you didn't open
- Denials for loan applications
How to Report the Identity Theft: In order to report the identity theft contact Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at
IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at
1-877-438-4338 .
What are the Ways to Prevent Scammers
Customers can use varied self security means and ways to prevent any scam or theft. Use the below means to safeguard the personal information.
- Secure Social Security number (SSN) by remembering the number and never carry the card in wallet.
- Don't share personal information on phone calls or via emails.
- Collect all mails personal and keep a check on mail delivery.
- Keep a strict vigil on billing statements and report immediately if some fishy is found.
- Use the security features on mobile phone to prevent misuse.
- Update sharing and firewall settings for compute wi-fi network.
- Never use any virtual private network (VPN) for online banking or payments.
- Review credit card and bank account statements regularly.
- Compare the balance sheet with account statements and report unauthorized transactions.
- Never share the bank receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired credit cards.
- Store personal information in some digital wallets.
- Install firewalls and virus-detection software on home computer.
- Always Create complex passwords that for mobile and computers.
- Change passwords to keep the date safe.
- Review credit reports and bank statements.
- Freeze credit files with the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange for free.
How to Spot and Prevent an Online Dating Scammer?
Online dating scam or Romance scams are prevalent due to the use of social media and other chatting apps. Scammers use these platforms to steal personal information from the users. Online dating scam also include building a elicit relationship and then start black mailings. To prevent the online dating scams, check for the below spots or signs
- Profile Warning Signs like few images or images of models.
- Scammers often ask you to move to some another form of messaging.
- Scammers always professes love early on to build a relationship quickly.
- Scammers don't want to meet in person.
- Scammers may avoid phone calls or voice and video chats.
- Request money from you for family emergencies, health issues, or travel problems.
- Scammers may ask you to do some financial transactions and exchanges on behalf of them.
- Scammers often send links to an app, game, service, or website.
Check List of Scammer Phone Numbers
Scammers use different tactics to extract information. However, there are some international area codes that are identified as scammers across the globe. Never attend a call or share information on phone if the caller's phone numbers starts with the below area codes.
| Area Code | International Area |
|---|
| 232 | Sierra Leone |
| 242 | Bahamas |
| 246 | Barbados |
| 268 | Antigua |
| 284 | British Virgin Islands |
| 345 | Cayman Islands |
| 441 | Bermuda |
| 473 | Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite |
| 649 | Turks and Caicos |
| 664 | Montserrat |
| 721 | Sint Maarten |
| 758 | St. Lucia |
| 767 | Dominica |
| 784 | St. Vincent and Grenadines |
| 809, 829, and 849 | The Dominican Republic |
| 868 | Trinidad and Tobago |
| 869 | St. Kitts and Nevis |
| 876 | Jamaica |
List of Scammer Phone Numbers in USA
Below is a list of some of the most dangerous phone numbers indulging in scammer are mentioned below:
- 615-671-3047
- 371-256-6444
- 901-237-1519
- 423-791-3967
- 731-506-6562
- 731-256-9338
- 901-203-0295
- 731-256-7209
- 865-963-0366
- 901-458-2010
A List of Scammer Websites
Website scam involves various fake web portals pretending as shopping sties or other e-commerce platforms. These sites always offer attractive discounts, rewards and shopping benefits. The list of these kind of scammer websites are given below:
- Companyforyouthsome.com
- coolerones.com
- enjoyhop.com
- foryouthsome.com
- futurgift.com
- innotvgood.com
- iwishgoods.com
- kiaasc.com
- lemtomorrow.com
- lucurybuy.com
- lurqure.com
- mjkiu.com
- mysupergoodss.com
- mysurpergoodss.com
- neoiu.com
- onsuathymealle.com
- poisly.com
- preatd.com
- prfoodty.com
- sagosmycket.sesailingme.com
- shakpopin.com
- sharkiecool.com
- simpleliner.com
- surprise.shopping
- tratartledag.com
- tylious.com
- vxpujdxvufbg.com
- zybzquz.com
Scams Related to COVID-19
Scams related to corona virus pandemic are one among the current scams. Scammers use phone calls, email, postal mail, text, or social media to get in touch with people and stole information like contacts, bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth.
Some common corona virus scams are like below:
1. Identity theft when people post a photo of vaccination card on social media
2. COVID-19 testing, vaccine, and treatment scams
3. Charity scams like asking for charity to deal with pandemic.
4. Promise of checks from the government as COVID relief.
5. Calls from Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or banks related to Covid deposits.
6. COVID-19 funeral assistance scam.
7. Grandparent and military service member scams.
How to Report COVID Related Scams?
Customers can report COVID related scams and prevent loss of money or identity theft. To report the scammers contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at
866-720-5721 or email
disaster@leo.gov. Consumers can also report the scams
online.