Seniors can screen and prevent ‘robocall’ scams

By ELLIOTT GREENBLOTT
You pick up the phone and hear: “Congratulations, you are eligible for consolidation of your credit card debt at a fantastic low interest rate” or “This is the IRS calling to notify you that there is a problem with the tax return you recently filed” or “Congratulations.  You won an expense-paid cruise in the Caribbean.”  These are only three “flavors” of calls you may receive and for the most have some similarity:  The voice can sound mechanical or sincere, there is a call-back number or instruction to press a number on the phone keypad, the message is a recording, and the call has an air of urgency.  Two other similarities; the call is a “robocall” and the call is illegal.  

In 2017, Americans lost over $300 million to telephone scammers, and most used robocalls to lure victims.

A robocall’s message is from a recording, not a live person.  In most cases, the call is illegal with some notable exceptions:  Charities and political candidates or organizations and sales messages from companies to which you have given written permission for marketing.  This last category can be tricky since quite often businesses include language in sales or financial documents such as credit card applications or loan applications that allow them or affiliates to market products or services.

Computers and autodialers allow anyone to make thousands of calls for just pennies.  The technology also allows callers to mask their true identity and location.  In some cases, the originating number is displayed as “unknown” or a simple set of numbers.  In other cases the caller uses “spoofing.” The number displayed fools you into believing the call is from someone in their own area code and number prefix.  Clever scammers impersonating the IRS will use area code 202, which is Washington, D.C. while those claiming to be calls from Microsoft use area code 425, Redmond, Washington, the location of Microsoft headquarters.

What can you do?  First, register for Do Not Call at (888) 382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov.  Registration must be made using the phone line on which you want the service.  Second, do not answer the phone if you do not recognize the calling number.  If you answer, hang up on the call as soon as you realize it’s a robocall.  Do not “press 1” to speak to a representative or “press 2” to be placed on a do not call list.  Either response will add you to the “GO AHEAD AND CALL ME” list and subject you to more calls.  Next, report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on line at www.complaints.donotcall.gov or call (888)-382-1222.

There are some other actions you can take.  Call your telephone service provider and report the robocalls. Cell phone users can call their providers as well as download and activate robocall-blocking apps.  There are devices and software that can assist in blocking robocalls but as always, research the issue and select options that best address your situation.  

Numerous resources are available online. AARP, FTC, Consumer Reports, and CNET are all reliable information sources. or visit your local library.  AARP’s Fraud Watch network provides free educational presentations. To become a volunteer, contact [email protected] or call (802) 951-1301. 

 

Elliott Greenblott is a retired educator serving as the Vermont AARP Fraud Watch Network Coordinator.