Historical Summer 2014 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
It’s happened to us all.
The phone rings. It’s a strange number.
But you pick it up and sure enough, it’s a recording.
A robocall.
The majority of robocalls are designed to accomplish certain tasks, some of them legal or legitimate – airlines call you with flight changes or cancellation or your child’s school calls notifying you of an early dismissal. Things get trickier, though, when the robocalls are trying to sell you something. New laws now prohibit recorded sales pitches, unless you have given prior permission in writing.
Most robocall originators, however, ignore these laws and rely on rapidly changing technology to protect them from law enforcement. What’s worse, some of the calls do have nefarious deeds driving them. People may be trying to collect your information to scam you or steal your identity.
When you receive a robocall, your phone may display the word “Unknown.” More likely, it will display a “spoofed” number.
These numbers are outright fakes, stolen from legitimate sources. Dozens of spoofed numbers can be used in a single robocall campaign. Usually, you are not being personally targeted.
While lists of actual phone numbers are sometimes used, most often a sequence of numbers is programmed so that the computer dials a certain number of calls within selected area codes. Often, the scammers do not know who owns the called number, whether or not they are on the “do not call” registry, or even if the number is actually in operation.
The call is made by an automatic voice system and the robocall cannot identify you or determine anything about you unless you respond by voice or by pressing a number.
The best way to get rid of the call is to hang up without responding, but only after you write down the number that called you.
If you let the robocaller know there is a live person on the line, your number could be sold or otherwise distributed to other scammers, leading to even more calls.
In order to protect yourself against robocallers, remember the following: Keep a pad and pen next to the phone. Record each robocall from your caller ID. Get the time, date and number. Even though most caller ID numbers are spoofed, report them to www.ftc.gov/ complaint, or call 1-888-382- 1222 toll free. Never respond to a robocall by voice or by pressing a number, even if the caller claims this will stop future calls. Never speak to the robocaller even if he or she addresses you by name or seems to be offering a product or service you might want or need. Once you let the robocaller know there is a live person at that number, the number will be sold or otherwise distributed to other scammers. Block robocall numbers. You can block numbers from which you receive robocalls, but remember that most of these numbers are spoofed, and change frequently. Therefore, do not attempt to block these numbers if your phone carrier charges for this service. Go to www.nomorobo.com for a possible free alternative to blocking numbers. Some, but not all phone service providers use this service to block robocalls at no charge to the phone subscriber.
The Circuit Attorney’s Fraud Prevention Task Force aims to give St. Louisans the tools and education to protect themselves against fraud, theft and scams.
If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, want more information on how to protect yourself from fraud, or would like to request a fraud prevention seminar for your organizations, neighborhood or office, call the hotline at 314- 612-1412.
To stay up-to-date on the latest news and information from the Circuit Attorney’s Office, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2014.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2014_06.pdf, printed page(s) 11; PDF page(s) 11.
