Spam calls are irritating interruptions and can even be dangerous. Callers in some cases convince their victims to dole out personal information over the phone, threatening their safety and financial security. Use the following guide to keep yourself and your loved ones in the clear. 

What Are Spam Calls?

Some spam callers can be tricky—you may pick up the phone to hear them using your first name and questions about how you’ve been. In this case, their goal is to act like they’re a family friend you must have forgotten about. They may also claim to work for your company, your insurance provider, or a corporation you trust to gain your confidence.

In most cases, they’re hoping to extract personal information from you, such as your social security number or banking information. Other times, they may explicitly ask for money, either by telling a fabricated tale or falsely claiming to be a company to whom you owe a debt. After tax season, some even pose as the IRS, intimidating callers into believing that if they don’t resolve their balance due, they could be arrested or sued.

How Can I Protect My Family?

First, know that the IRS and other prominent agencies will never ask you to give banking information over the phone. If you receive a call from someone who asks you to buy a product or service you don’t want, simply decline the offer. If they claim to be a family friend, don’t assume they are until checking with other members of your family. Ask them if you can call them back at another time. If they decline, it’s likely because they can’t receive incoming calls and only have one chance to get your money.

To keep your family members and loved ones safe, tell them what to expect from spam callers. Senior citizens are especially vulnerable to today’s tech-savvy criminals. Let them know that no personal information should ever be given over the phone, especially to an incoming caller. Tell them not to answer the call if they don’t recognize the number and use their voicemail as a way to filter legitimate calls from illegitimate. To limit the number of unwanted calls they receive, register them with do not call lists or spam blocking services. 

The telecommunications experts at Delhi Telephone Company of Delaware County, NY, are no strangers to the dangers of spam callers. They’ll help you learn how to avoid suspicious calls with caller ID, as well as how to react over the phone. If you’re interested in upgrading your system, get in touch with them at (607) 746-1500 today. To learn more about their data and internet packages, visit their website.