The number one complaint we hear about in the Consumer Protection Unit involves unsolicited telephone calls. Those pesky calls may come from robotic scammers or telemarketers, and some residents tell us they get multiple a day. The same two questions come up: “Why isn’t anything being done to stop them?” and “Why can’t you just trace the number and track them down?”
I understand your frustration. The challenge is the way robocalls work. Scammers use automated dialing software programs from a computer to send out thousands of calls each second. The software changes the telephone number that shows up on your caller ID to make it look like it comes from a government agency such as the IRS, from local law enforcement, or even from your neighbor. Some residents have reported getting calls that look like they’re coming from their own phone number. Unfortunately, you won’t find out that it isn’t your neighbor calling until you pick up the phone and hear a recorded message or sales pitch.
This is called caller ID spoofing and it is very profitable for scammers. It is estimated that Americans lose about $3 billion each year to scams and fraud originating from these calls.
Callers try many different scenarios to trick you into to speaking with them. Once they have your attention, they will start asking for personal information such as your Social Security number, passwords, or account information. Expert’s advice is always the same: Never give out that personal…
