Trying to figure out how to tell a fake lawsuit phone call from an actual one? You’re not alone. There are many reasons why people are getting these calls, from the threats of arrest if they don’t pay to the social engineering tactics that get them. To avoid these pranksters, there are a few ways to tell a fake lawsuit from a real one. Keep reading to learn more.
Robocalls
The number of robocalls is growing by leaps and bounds. Consumer agencies say that robocalls are the most common complaint of the future, and communications firm YouMail reported that robocalls jumped nearly 4% in January and are on pace to top 48 billion by the end of 2019. But why are robocalls so persistent? Why are they so ruthless in spoofing legitimate phone numbers?
The rise in illegal robocalls has sparked a new wave of action. The US Federal Communications Commission has stepped up efforts to combat these pranksters, including requiring major voice providers to implement Stir/Shaken technology. This technology requires carriers to verify call origins, which can help them avoid illegal robocalls. Moreover, it is relatively cheap for fraudsters to use this technology.
Robocall law
A group of 51 attorneys general has called on the Federal Communications Commission to tighten up the rules on robocalls and restrict their access to real phone numbers. These attorneys general include Josh Stein of North Carolina and Ashley Moody of Florida. The attorney’s general say Stir/Shaken will likely push illegal robocallers to countries other than the US. A significant portion of robocalls originate in international carriers, so battling this issue will require more cooperation between these carriers. Hopefully, this will inspire global leaders to cooperate.
The law does not prevent robocallers from claiming that a consumer consented to receive calls. In some cases, consumer consent is granted inadvertently, by ticking a box on a website. Once that consent is obtained, robocallers can sell the consumer’s information to the data broker industry and use the consent as a legal backstop. Robocall law for fake lawsuit phone calls
Social engineering
Social engineering is a sophisticated method of manipulating people to obtain personal details and financial details. A skilled scam artist will attempt to gain control of your computer by convincing you to enter payment information or account passwords. These techniques are based on human psychology and human weaknesses. By mimicking the way you think and act, these scams are often able to sneak past technological safeguards and get to your sensitive information. So, how can you protect yourself against them?
One example of a social engineering attack is the case of a British energy provider. In that attack, a phony account of a “Hungarian supplier” was created to steal money. The fake company posed as a legitimate business, allowing attackers to transfer over $37 million to themselves. A recent study revealed that companies can be easily phished, and social engineering is often used to scam them.
Identifying a robocall
If you’ve ever been harassed by a robocall demanding money or personal information, you’ve probably been the target of a scam. Do not call back and never give out personal information over the phone. If possible, call back only reliable numbers. Government agencies rarely make robocalls demanding immediate payment. They may be very convincing and even pose as familiar companies. If the caller says they need your money right away, hang up.
Be suspicious of calls from fake process servers. When fake process servers contact you, they will threaten you with arrest or extortion if you don’t pay up. A legitimate company or government agency will never ask you to pay through a suspicious method. A good rule of thumb is to never pay money over the phone unless you’ve been instructed by a legitimate process server. A process server who asks for payment in advance is likely a scam artist.
Avoiding a robocall
You can avoid fake lawsuit phone calls by using the ‘do not call’ list. The phone list will contain the names of all the people who have recently received such calls. These people will also ask you a few questions about yourself. Moreover, these ‘robocalls’ may be persuasive. The caller might ask you to record your voice. Fraudsters use this technique to authorize transactions.
Besides being illegitimate, scammers also use threatening language. They may tell you that you will be arrested or will face legal action if you do not pay the amount they ask for. These people are just scammers and do not deserve your personal information. Always remember not to give out any private information. Also, avoid responding to texts, clicking on links in emails, or downloading attachments. It is best to ignore any phone calls or messages you may receive.
