What to do if you answer an unwanted call and are a victim of a scam without realizing it
In recent years, unwanted calls from unknown numbers have become an increasingly common problem. Not only are these annoying, but they can also pose a real danger if you fall into the networks of scammers hiding behind them.
Cybercriminals who make these types of calls have a clear goal: to trick you into providing them with personal information, such as your banking or identity details, which they will then use to commit fraud or identity theft.
The danger lies in the ability of scammers to manipulate and persuade their victims. They use well-thought-out psychological techniques to gain your trust, making you believe you are talking to a legitimate entity, such as your bank or a utility company.
Without realizing it, you may end up giving them information that allows them to access your accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or even impersonate you. If you respond to one of these calls and realize you’ve been a victim, it’s imperative that you act quickly.
- What to do if you are a victim of a scam?
- Hang up immediately : Do not continue talking to the scammer, as he may try to get more information from you or pressure you to take actions that will harm you.
- Block a phone number : Avoid receiving further calls from this number. Most mobile phones allow you to block specific numbers.
- Report the situation : Contact the relevant authorities, such as the police, to report the scam. This will help prevent others from falling into the trap and allow action to be taken against the scammers.
- Contact your bank immediately : If you provide banking details, tell your bank immediately so they can take steps to protect your account, such as blocking cards or monitoring suspicious transactions.
.jfif)
- Browse the Internet : Search the Internet for your name and other personal information to make sure it is not being used fraudulently. If you find anything suspicious, report it to the authorities.
- Check your accounts and statements : Pay attention to any unusual activity on your bank accounts or credit cards. If you discover unauthorized charges, notify your bank immediately.
- Change your passwords : If you provide passwords or information that could lead to your online accounts being hacked, change them as soon as possible.
To protect yourself and avoid falling into the traps of random calls, it is essential that you follow some basic recommendations that will help you keep your data safe and reduce the risk of falling victim to a phone scam.
Always be wary of unknown numbers, especially if you are not expecting any calls; do not feel obligated to answer, because if the call is important, the person or entity will surely leave a message or try to contact you by other means.
When responding, never share your personal information. Legitimate entities will never ask you for sensitive data such as account numbers, passwords, or personal information. If someone asks for this information, hang up immediately.
Additionally, using spam blocking apps or features on your mobile phone can be very helpful. These tools identify and block incoming calls from suspicious numbers, thus reducing the number of unwanted calls.
4 Apps to Generate Names for Your Kids, Pets, or Personal Accounts
The best sneaky methods to save money
MyHeritage now lets you animate old or new family photos into deepfake videos