Protecting Yourself from Phone Scams: A Guide for Staff

Phone scams are a constant threat, targeting individuals and businesses alike. Scammers use various tactics to trick you into revealing personal information or sending money. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to identify and avoid phone scams.

Common Signs of Phone Scams:

• Urgency or Pressure: Scammers create a sense of urgency or pressure to make you act quickly without thinking clearly. Examples include threats of immediate legal action, account suspension, or financial loss.
• Promises of Easy Money or Prizes: Phone scams often lure victims with unrealistic rewards or financial gains to entice them into sharing information or sending money.
• Unfamiliar Caller ID or Number Spoofing: Scammers can disguise their phone numbers to appear legitimate, such as spoofing a government agency or trusted company number.
• Request for Personal Information: Scammers aim to obtain sensitive data like passwords, bank details, or Social Security numbers through phone calls.
• Suspicious Payment Methods: They might ask you to pay with unusual methods like gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or money transfers.
• Poor Grammar or Misspellings: Legitimate companies typically have professional communication. While not always a giveaway, poor grammar or misspellings can be a red flag.

How to Handle Phone Scams:

• Don't Engage: Don't provide any personal information, confirm details, or agree to anything.
• Ask Questions: Instead, verify the caller's identity by asking for information and confirming it with the official source (e.g., call the company directly using a verified phone number).
• End the Call Politely: If you suspect a scam, politely hang up. You don't owe them an explanation.
• Report the Call: Inform your manager and IT department about the phone scam attempt.

Remember:

• Legitimate companies will not pressure you into making immediate decisions or sharing personal information over the phone.
• Never send money or provide personal information based on unsolicited phone calls.