FAQs
Before Answering:
Number doesn't match the caller ID name (e.g., says a big company but has a local number) Claims to be from a government agency like the IRS or FBI (they won't call you out of the blue) Caller ID shows "Scam Likely" or "Spam Risk" (your carrier has flagged it as potential spam)
What if I answered yes to a phone scammer? ›
By responding “yes,” people notify robo-callers that their number is an active telephone number that can be sold to other telemarketers for a higher price. This then leads to more unwanted calls.
What area code should you not answer the phone from? ›
⚠️ Five area codes you should never answer
- 268 area code: Antigua and Barbuda.
- 868 area code: Trinidad and Tobago.
- 649 area code: Turks and Caicos Islands.
- 829 area code: Dominican Republic.
- 876 area code: Jamaica.
Adding Your Number to the Registry
Go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register. It's free.
How to check if a number is legit? ›
An easy way to find out if a phone number is fake is to call it. The phone number is often a fake if it's disconnected. This works well if you're getting calls or texts from a phone number you suspect is fake. Block the phone number if you get a message that it's disconnected when you call.
How do I check if a phone number is spam? ›
Getting calls and messages from numbers you think are spam? You can now confirm whether that number is spam with Truecaller's Spam Number Lookup! Enter the number in the search bar. Truecaller will show spam stats if it's a spam number, giving a detailed breakdown of their activities.
What happens if you press 2 on a spam call? ›
Robocalls sometimes prompt you to take action, such as “press 1 to speak to a live representative” or “press 2 to unsubscribe” and so on. By following instructions, you confirm to the robocallers that you are a potential victim and invite further robocalls. Try to avoid taking any action.
What happens if I call back a scammer number? ›
When you call back a spam number, you're playing directly into the scammer's hands. You could expose sensitive data on the call or make yourself a target for further scam attempts.
Can someone steal your information by answering a call? ›
Can you get hacked by answering a phone call? It's impossible to get hacked by simply answering a phone call made through your network service provider. But that doesn't mean a phone call can't be exploited to compromise your security via a social engineering attack.
Can a scammer get into your phone with your phone number? ›
Your phone can't be hacked from your number alone, although there are some zero-click attacks that can install malware even if you don't answer a call or click a text. Usually, to hack a phone, scammers need targets to take some action, like clicking a malicious link or downloading an infected app.
Even with today's diverse range of communication devices, *67 still works on cell phones and landlines. No matter which device you use, whether an iPhone or Android, the code allows you to hide your phone numbers during calls.
What numbers should you avoid answering? ›
Ignore calls from 3-digit international area codes that are likely to be scams, including 232, 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849, and 876. Be wary of calls from unknown numbers with your own area code. These may be international caller ID spoof scams that appear local.
Is it better to ignore or decline spam calls? ›
Ignoring spam calls is a more effective approach than rejecting them. This is because interacting with the call can give scammers confirmation that your number is operational, possibly resulting in an increase of unwanted calls in the future.
Does *61 block unwanted calls? ›
For digital home phones, AT&T also provides two star codes to block calls: *61 to block the last number that called you and *60 to add specific numbers.
What to do if you said yes to a phone scammer? ›
Immediately notify your financial institutions and credit card issuers. Contact each of the three major credit reporting agencies—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. You have the right to ask them for a credit freeze, which restricts access to your credit reports.
How do I check a number? ›
An online reverse phone lookup tool is a quick, easy, and legal way of doing it. With sites like Who Called Me? and Truecaller, you can just type in a phone number and you might get some details back about who owns it.
How do you know if you're on the phone with a scammer? ›
The caller uses a generic greeting and doesn't know anything about you. Someone requesting money or personal information will always know whom they're calling. The caller requests sensitive information, such as your SSN or credit card number. There's never a good reason to give out this information over the phone.
How to check an unknown number? ›
If you want to find out who's behind the “no caller ID” or “unknown caller” tag, try these methods: 1. Dial *69 and press the call button. This usually free service will reveal the previous caller's number, even though they may have intentionally hidden it.
What can a scammer do with just a phone number? ›
Scammers can use your phone number to obtain private information about you and then blackmail you into paying them so they won't release it. Scam others online with Google Voice. If a scammer has access to your phone or text messages, they may be able to set up an account through Google Voice to scam more people.
