We all know about phone scams, yet we still fall for their tricks. How can you recognize a scammer by their first words and end the conversation in time?
Telephone fraud has been the most common method of deception for several years now, accounting for approximately 90% of cyber fraud cases. As recently as 2022, scammers were making approximately 5 million calls per day, and by mid-2023, that number had risen to approximately 8.6 million, according to bank. They can call from mobile phones, landlines, and messaging apps. Men and women of all ages and social statuses fall for their tricks. The fact is that scammers use psychological methods and manipulate our values, making it difficult to resist.
Scammers operate according to scripts. These scripts change periodically, but we monitor them and warn our readers. This means you can recognize scammers by their first words and hang up before they start pressuring you. "What if the people calling me aren't scammers, but real people?" you might ask. This is easy to check — we'll not only explain the scripts but also advise you on how to handle the situation.
Another scenario: the caller claims to be investigating financial fraud and needs your help. You should go to the bank, withdraw money from your account, and then either hand it over in person to the police officers waiting for you at the entrance or transfer it using a payment terminal to the phone numbers provided. Once the investigation is complete, all your money will be returned to you. The result is the same: your money will end up in the hands of the scammers.
During the conversation, scammers may ask you about your relatives and demand their phone numbers, arguing that they too could be in danger. The real goal is to deceive not only you but also your loved ones.
The second scenario is when a "friend" joins the conversation. They say your child or acquaintance has lost their phone and bank card, and to help them, you need to transfer money to this number. The result in both cases is the same: you'll transfer money to scammers.
(c) Source
Telephone fraud has been the most common method of deception for several years now, accounting for approximately 90% of cyber fraud cases. As recently as 2022, scammers were making approximately 5 million calls per day, and by mid-2023, that number had risen to approximately 8.6 million, according to bank. They can call from mobile phones, landlines, and messaging apps. Men and women of all ages and social statuses fall for their tricks. The fact is that scammers use psychological methods and manipulate our values, making it difficult to resist.
Scammers operate according to scripts. These scripts change periodically, but we monitor them and warn our readers. This means you can recognize scammers by their first words and hang up before they start pressuring you. "What if the people calling me aren't scammers, but real people?" you might ask. This is easy to check — we'll not only explain the scripts but also advise you on how to handle the situation.
A call from the bank's security services, the bank, the police, and the FBI
You receive a call from an unknown number claiming to be from a bank's security service, the bank, the police, the FBI, or another government agency. They claim they're trying to withdraw money from an ATM using your bank card (usually a bank card at first), transfer it to another account, or take out a loan in your name. To resolve the issue, you need to immediately transfer the money to a secure account. The scammers then ask you what other banks you have accounts with and how much money is in them. They say they need to secure these accounts too. To do this, they ask you to provide your card number, expiration date, the three-digit code on the back, and then a number sent via SMS from the bank. The result: all your money will be transferred to the scammers' accounts.Another scenario: the caller claims to be investigating financial fraud and needs your help. You should go to the bank, withdraw money from your account, and then either hand it over in person to the police officers waiting for you at the entrance or transfer it using a payment terminal to the phone numbers provided. Once the investigation is complete, all your money will be returned to you. The result is the same: your money will end up in the hands of the scammers.
During the conversation, scammers may ask you about your relatives and demand their phone numbers, arguing that they too could be in danger. The real goal is to deceive not only you but also your loved ones.
What is the right thing to do?
Neither banks, nor the police, nor the FBI, nor any other government agencies resolve issues over the phone. Only scammers do that. Hang up. If you're still unsure, look up the phone number of the bank where you have an account online, or call the police and tell them about the call. If the call came from a real employee, you'll be redirected to them.Your relative is in trouble.
You receive a call from an unfamiliar number. The voice is quite poorly heard, but the person addresses you as "Mom," "Dad," or by name. You assume it's your child or a good friend, in trouble and asking for help. Then a police officer joins the conversation. He says your loved one has been detained — usually for a traffic accident or a fight. He faces a significant prison sentence, but the officer is willing to help if you wire him a certain amount of money.The second scenario is when a "friend" joins the conversation. They say your child or acquaintance has lost their phone and bank card, and to help them, you need to transfer money to this number. The result in both cases is the same: you'll transfer money to scammers.
What is the right thing to do?
Without seeing the person, you can never be sure you're talking to them. Hang up. Contact your loved one using their phone number or via messenger. If you can't get through right away, try contacting their friends, relatives, or colleagues. Tell them about the call and decide together what to do.Message from the bank's security service
You receive an SMS or a message via messenger stating that your card has been blocked. To verify the information and unblock the card, you're asked to call the number provided. If you call back, you'll be told that the bank has detected an attempt to withdraw money from your card, experienced a technical glitch, and suspects your card has been compromised. To unblock the card, you'll need to provide its number, expiration date, the three-digit code on the back, and the number sent via SMS from the bank. Rest assured — this is enough for fraudsters to steal your money.What is the right thing to do?
If you receive any message from the bank, call back the official phone number — it can be found on the bank's website. For example, you can contact bank through bank online, by dialing a mobile phone, or by dialing a landline or from abroad.Messages from family and friends
You receive a message on your phone or in your messenger from an unfamiliar number that says something like, "Mom, I'm in trouble. Send 1,000 rubles to this number. Don't call me — I'll tell you everything later." You transfer the money, and the next day, it turns out your child never asked you for anything.What is the right thing to do?
If the message comes from an unfamiliar number, it's most likely a scam. Call your loved one back on their phone number or message them via messenger. If they don't respond, contact their friends, colleagues, or spouse. Tell them about the message and decide together what to do.Messages asking to call back from unknown numbers
You receive a message from a stranger asking you to call back at a given phone number. The reason could be anything — you need to help a friend, resolve a problem with your bank or mobile operator, talk to an unexpected courier, or enter a prize draw. You call back, wait a long time, but no one answers. Then you discover the call was a paid one, and the money has been debited from your account.What is the right thing to do?
Never call back numbers sent to you by strangers. If you're asked to contact a specific organization, look it up online. To avoid becoming a victim of scams, read reviews of the phone number provided. You can do this by searching for "phone number reviews."An unexpected win or a pension increase
You receive a message via messenger or text message that your number has won a prize draw, you're entitled to a one-time payment from the government, or you've been selected by the organizer of a promotional campaign. To find out more, you need to click the link or call the number provided. If you click the link, you'll be taken to a phishing page where you'll be asked to fill out a form to claim your prize — enter your personal information, then your bank card details — supposedly to transfer your winnings to your account. If you call, you'll be connected to a "prize department employee" who will extract all of this information from you over the phone. Your personal information will be leaked to the scammers, and your bank card details will allow them to steal all your money.What is the right thing to do?
Information about additional government payments is published in official media. Unexpected cash prizes are just bait, no matter how sad it may sound. Delete the messages. Never click on any links or call back any unknown numbers.A call from the technical support service of the State Services portal
You receive a call from an unknown number claiming to be from a government services support representative and claiming that someone is trying to change your phone number linked to government services. Are you the one doing this? The support representative will cancel the operation, but to do so, you'll need to provide them with the four-digit code from the SMS. If you do this, the scammers will gain access to your government services account, which means access to your personal information. Using this information, they'll try to take out a microloan in your name. And if you linked a bank card to your account, they'll know exactly which bank you have an account with and can use this information in other fraudulent schemes.What is the right thing to do?
Don't share the code sent to your mobile phone with anyone. These are scammers calling. Hang up. Log into your personal account on the government services portal, make sure you still have access, and change your password just in case. Or go to the MFC and have them do all this for you.Call from a telecom operator
You receive a call from an unknown number, claiming to be from the telecom operator where you have your SIM card, and demanding that you urgently renew your contract or your card will be blocked. They need your Government Services information. You are asked to provide the access code to your personal account on the portal. If you do, the scammers will log into your account, gain access to your personal data, and, if you've linked a bank card to it, find out where your account is. They may then try to take out a microloan in your name or use the obtained information in other fraudulent schemes.What is the right thing to do?
The code sent to your mobile phone via SMS should not be shared with anyone. Mobile operators never call to resolve important issues. They are scammers. Hang up.Easy work from home with a good salary
You've posted your resume. Someone calls you and offers you a job with a good salary. To get it, you need to send copies of your documents to the future employer and transfer money for a "security check and employment registration." Rest assured, you'll lose your money, and your personal information will fall into the hands of scammers.What is the right thing to do?
You never have to pay money to get hired — if you're asked, hang up. If you're asked to send copies of documents, verify the company's name and address, check its website, and read reviews online. Check the address to which you're asked to send copies of documents — it should be on the company's domain. Remember that the organization must send you a consent form to process personal data for signature. This must specify who is collecting your personal data, the purpose for which it is being collected, and how it will be used. Read the consent form carefully before signing it and sending copies of documents.(c) Source
