Once again, phone scams are in the news.
The latest involves the “Yes” scam in which the caller “tricks” a person into saying “Yes” on the phone. The crook on the other end of the line then records that person’s “Yes.” It can then be used later when the unwitting victims learn they owe a bill for something they did not order or want. If a victim scoffs at the bill, the scammer will then play back the sound of that person saying “Yes” as “proof” they agreed to the offer.
According to most news reports about the “Yes” scam, the crooks have a hard time collecting money, and they have no legal basis to use a surreptitiously recorded “Yes” to force people to pay the phony costs. But some victims pay the bills anyway, thinking they ordered something and forgot about it, or because they are afraid they’ll face collection costs and/or garnishment from their wages.
There’s no end to the dirty tricks phone scammers will attempt. It would take an entire newspaper just to list and to explain all the phone scams and ways to avoid them. What’s unfortunate, what’s disgusting, is these crooks are able to do their dirty work because of the kindness and trust of the people they call. Sad to say, many kind and trusting people are also – because of their good nature – gullible. However, even the wariest, most skeptical people can be tricked, too. That is because these phone scammers are so “friendly” on the phone, so slickly sly at their pitch that it’s very easy to be tricked by them.
It’s been said the only sure way to avoid being “took” these days is to get rid of your telephones, trash your computers, lock the door and hide under the bed. That’s how pervasive scams of every kind have become. The more electronically sophisticated our society becomes, the more predominate the scams.
The only sure – well, nearly sure way – to avoid scams, besides living under the bed, is to become anti-scam savvy. There are lots of good websites on the subject, as well as free seminars offered from time to time in cities in our area.
People should start their anti-scam savvy education by remembering the following tips:
- If something sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.
- Do not do business over the phone or on Internet unless you, yourself, initiate the business.
- Before agreeing to any purchase, check out the integrity of the company or seller. Take your time, and do not rush into purchases.
- Do business locally, with reputable businesses, whenever possible.
- Never give out personal information. Shred or burn old bills, receipts, bank documents and other documents that contain any personal data.
- Last but not least, learn how not to be afraid to hang up the phone. As soon as the slightest suspicion about the call arises, simply hang the phone up. Experts about scams know the longer people stay on the phone, listening to a scam, the likelier they will be to fall for it.
The following is an excellent website for learning how to out-fox scammers: www.consumer.ftc.gov, and then type in 10 Things You Can Do To Avoid Fraud.
Be sure to share your newly acquired anti-scam savvy, with others.
