Who's calling you? How to avoid falling for scammers: ways to check suspicious phone numbers

online number verification platforms:

• there are websites ktozvonitvam.ruwhere you can enter a phone number and get the opportunity to read reviews from those who have encountered it.

use of mobile applications:

• There are apps that provide phone number information based on data from public sources and the user community. This data may not always be accurate, but most often it is.

Web search:

• An easy way is to use an Internet search. Just enter a phone number into a search engine and see if information about it appears. Some sites also provide number verification services.

blocking unwanted calls:

• Many mobile operating systems provide features to block unwanted calls. You can add numbers to your blacklist to avoid calling them.

unanswered calls:

• if the number is not known to you and you are not expecting a call, you can simply not pick up the phone. If it’s an important call, the caller will likely leave you a voicemail or send you a message.

Internet forums and discussions:

• Sometimes information can be found on forums or in discussions where other people share their experiences with calls from certain numbers.

It is important to remember that none of these methods are guaranteed to be 100% accurate, and sometimes scammers can masquerade as “normal” numbers! Try to be careful not to give out personal information over the phone unless you are sure the call is legitimate.

Who is calling? What if it’s a scammer…

There are several signs that can help you spot a potential scammer in a conversation. Here are some tips:

unusual information:

• If you are asked to provide personal or financial information for no apparent reason, this could be a sign of fraud. For example, a bank or government agency will not typically ask you for passwords or credit card numbers over the phone.

haste and threats:

• scammers can create situations in which you need to act quickly. If someone is pressuring you and creating a sense of urgency, this could be a sign of a scam.

unclear identification:

• Legitimate organizations usually present themselves clearly and provide contact information for verification. If the interlocutor refuses to provide detailed information about himself or the organization, be wary.

suspicious calls:

• If you receive calls from unknown numbers, especially from international or unusual regions, be careful. Fraudsters often use numbers that are harder to track.

advance payment request:

• If you are asked to provide payment or personal information up front, especially through unusual methods, this could be a sign of fraud.

check the information:

• If something worries you, ask for a call back number or contact the company or organization that reported the call yourself using official contact information.

fake phone number (Caller ID spoofing):

• Scammers can spoof phone numbers, so even if you see a call from an organization you know, it is possible that it is a fake call.

If something seems suspicious, it’s best to be careful and not reveal personal or financial information. It is also important to report such incidents to local law enforcement.