For many years, telephone scams have continued to claim victims, especially among the most vulnerable people (minors, the elderly). Updating your training account, delivery of a package, false tax message… Malicious canvassers have plenty of imagination to fool us. Don’t panic, here are some tips to help you identify, avoid and report phone scams.
What are the different types of phone scams?
The techniques used by cyberattackers are multiplying. Today there are different forms of telephone scams:
- Ping call or voice spam : a number you don’t know calls you on your landline or mobile phone. When you pick up, the caller hangs up immediately. This scam wants you to think you missed a call and therefore tricks you into calling the number back. But this is a premium rate number. The longer you stay online, the higher the bill amount will be.
- Fake call from a hotline (vishing) : A person is trying to contact you pretending to be a hotline. His goal ? That you give your confidential information, such as your bank account number, your identifiers, your passwords… to use it later and usurp your identity. Be aware that real organizations use secure procedures and never ask for your personal information over the phone.
- telephone harassment : At any time of the day (and night), a number calls you constantly to force you to buy a good or a service. This abusive canvassing can be very disabling on a daily basis and must also be reported.
- SMS spam : Surely you have already received an SMS telling you that you have won a contest, that you are the victim of fraud or that there is a package for you? Most of the time, the message invites you to call back a number indicated, again surcharged.
- The virus by SMS : it is a virus sent directly by SMS. To install the virus in your mobile phone, the malefactors trick you into clicking on a link, installing the virus on your smartphone and allowing access to all your personal data.
How to avoid phone scams?
We can all be the target of phone scams. To avoid being a victim, there are good actions to implement:
- Don’t trust the phone numberbecause it is now possible to buy false French numbers (01.02 03.04.05, 06, 07);
- Never call back a number who called or texted you if you don’t know them. If the call is important, you will be left a message;
- Never click on a link in an SMS if you do not know the sender;
- Do not communicate any contact details or personal data over the phone. Know that no organization asks you for information by telephone, for the simple and good reason that they already have it;
- Consult a reverse directory (www.infosva.orf) or type the number directly into your search bar. Several websites list fraudulent numbers;
- Block all numbers looking suspicious to you (overtaxed or not);
- Register on the red or orange lists France Telecom not to appear in telephone directories
- If you have any doubt, contact organizations directly without going through the questionable message or number in order to verify the information.
Did you know ? When you contact a premium rate number, the call always begins with a tariff announcement. If not, then it’s a scam.
How do I report a number?
Want to report a number? You can do this by sending a free SMS to 33700 with the text “Spam voice 01 XX XX XX XX” specifying the suspicious telephone number or by going to the site https://www.33700.fr/. indicating the telephone number.
Bloctel, a tool set up by the government, allows you to register for free on an opposition list so as not to be disturbed by multiple cold calls. Registration is valid for 3 years. At any time, you can unsubscribe, delete, add phone numbers or change your contact details.
I am the victim of a telephone scam, what should I do?
Are you the victim of a phone scam? All you have to do is file a complaint with the authorities for fraud. Fraud is punishable by 5 years imprisonment and a fine of 375,000 euros.
LR