How to find out if someone is scam calling you

Have you ever received a call from someone you don’t recognize, and they just ask for money? Surprisingly, this occurs more often than you might think. These callers are scammers looking to take advantage of you in some cases. 

But how can you tell if a caller is scamming you? This post will outline some tips to help you determine if a caller is trying to scam you. Keep in mind that not every caller who asks for money is a scammer, but it’s important to be vigilant and protect yourself against potential scams.

1. Ask for a name and phone number

This might seem obvious, but if you’re suspicious that someone is trying to scam you, try asking them what their name and phone number are. If they hesitate or refuse to give a name and phone number before asking for money, it likely means they’re a scammer. 

However, some scammers will provide a fake name and phone number in order to trick you. So be on the lookout for these behaviors when considering whether or not the caller is legitimate:

– They sound nervous when giving their name and phone number

– They hurriedly give their information after being asked for it

2. Call the number back

If the person who called you provided a phone number, it’s usually pretty easy to tell whether or not they’re legitimate. The easiest way to do this is to do a reverse phone look-up or call the phone number back. If the person calling you has no other way to contact you besides that one phone number, then it probably won’t be difficult for them to answer that phone call. 

However, if they never pick up when you call back, or their voice mailbox is full, then they likely aren’t legitimate callers and are trying to scam you in some manner. In most cases, these types of scammers will give a fake name and explain that they need your help because they’re out of the country on business or have been robbed while touring Europe. 

Scammers may also give a fake address or ask you to wire money to help them get back home. In any case, if you can’t reach the person who called you and they never answer when you call them back, then there’s a good chance that it was a scammer trying to trick you into giving your money or personal information.

3. Be aware of red flags

The people calling will often use certain tactics in order to try and convince you that they need your help right away. If someone asks for emergency financial assistance or personal information from you, be sure not to provide it under any circumstances. Once these scammers have your information, they’ll likely gain access to all of your accounts and drain your bank account. Red flags to watch out for include:

– Urgency: Be wary of anyone who says they have an urgent matter that needs your attention. If someone was in a car accident or lost their wallet, there are better ways to contact you than calling you directly. Scammers often create situations with high levels of urgency, so if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

– Pressure tactics: If they start pressuring you into making quick decisions, then hang up the phone call immediately! It’s common for these scammers to try and push people into giving them money by using scare tactics, leading questions, excessive pressure, etc. The only way to avoid being scammed is by not providing any personal information or sending them money under any circumstances! If the person calling you sounds nervous or is trying to rush you, then it’s probably a scam.

– Desperation: Scammers often sound desperate and may say things like, “Please help me. I’m stranded in another country, or they’ll hurt my family.” Keep in mind that most scams involve the scammer trying to get you to send money quickly so it helps to be on high alert around strangers who make these types of claims over the phone.

Conclusion

While it’s always important to be aware of situations where scammers may try and trick you, these tips should help you easily determine whether or not the person calling you is legitimate. 

By looking up their phone number before calling them back, being aware of red flags, and immediately hanging up if someone tries to rush you into making a quick decision, then hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with any type of scam attempt.