MILWAUKEE — Most of us know how to spot phone scam. But, if we get a call from what appears to be a fraud department, a government agency like Social Security, or We Energies, we may be more inclined to fall for a scam because we fear losing money, government benefits, or vital services such as electricity. But, here are a few ways to spot these scams and avoid falling victim.
Most important, do not trust caller I.D. nor the information being shared in a call or a message. Check everything out with legitimate sources such as the phone number listed on an official website, your credit or I.D. cards, or a recent bill.
Resist the urge to push buttons on your phone or answer questions posed by the scammer. These responses could be used for multiple scams.
Do not provide personal information and watch out for pre-texting where a scammer may provide some limited information like your name and address to convince you into providing a credit card or social security number.
One of the best ways to avoid getting taken is by having calls go to an answering machine, and checking things out. If the caller does not leave a message, this is a good indication of a potential scam.
If you fall victim to one of these scams, reach out for help immediately by contacting the referenced company or agency, law enforcement, and consumer resources like the Federal Trade Commission or our Call 4 Action office.
