Is this number safe is a concern most parents have when they receive phone calls or text messages from unknown numbers. With the rise of scams and fraudulent activities, it’s difficult to know the authenticity of certain calls. Most fraudsters impersonate themselves as delivery services, banks, or even schools.
That’s why parents need to be cautious and know the authenticity of numbers before sharing any information. In this piece, we will go over ways to check if a number is safe, and common warning signs to look out for. We will also look at ways to know the number your teens have answered.
How to check if this number is safe?
Fraud, scams, and spam have become prevalent these days and it’s a growing concern especially among parents. By checking the numbers before responding, you save yourself privacy, cash and peace of mind. Luckily, this can be done by establishing ways to verify the identity of the caller.
Reverse phone lookup tools
The reverse phone tracking services are easy and effective to investigate the unknown numbers. Such services allow one to search a number and uncover the owner of that number, location, or related business.
Another thing that many will point out is the fact that a number was reported as spam or fraud by other users. Although it is not always 100 percent accurate, reverse lookups are usually enough to enable you to determine whether the number is safe or not.
Caller ID and spam alerts
Spam alert and caller ID provides immediate warning signals to suspicious calls. These are usually included in Smartphones and mobile carriers. They screen the identity of the caller or block numbers as possible fraud before you pick up the call. This will protect you against scammers, telemarketers and robocalls which may be associated with fake numbers.
Online forums and community reports
The Internet has online forums and reporting sites where individuals can post about their experience with atypical numbers. Reading such reports can tell you whether a number is tied to scams, telemarketing or fraud.
Forum talks tend to repeat the caller tricks and you get quite more information than looking up simple lookups. Verifying such reports prior to calling back is an extra security measure you should also consider. Group knowledge significantly reduces the chances of scammers.
Use parental controls to enhance digital safety for your family.
Common warning signs of unsafe number
Scammers have a tendency to employ ingenious strategies so that they can pose as trustworthy. But there are some red flags that would typically show what they are up to. You will be able to guard yourself against fraud by being alert to these red flags and prevent dangerous calls.
Aggressive or urgent language
Pressure tactics are a common scammer technique to make fast decisions. They may state that your account has been hacked or legal action is to follow. Any intimidating or provoking phone call should be a good indicator that the number being used is not safe. Genuine companies or businesses tend to communicate calmly with intent.
Requests for personal and financial information
Genuine enterprises hardly make calls requesting confidential information. When a caller asks you about passwords, banking or identification numbers you should be careful. These kinds of appeals are likely to refer to frauds that aim at robbing your personal data and finances. Never accept the request over the formal channels of the company. There should be confidence when sharing sensitive information.
Unfamiliar international codes
Some of the fraudulent phone calls use international codes that are not known or are foreign. You have these figures flashing on your screen and mostly, they seem to be random or somewhat surprising.
Block calls or just ignore it. Do not communicate with someone you do not know or who cannot authenticate their identity. International codes are frequently used by fraudsters in order to circumvent local call filters. By barring these calls, you minimise chances of falling to such traps.
How to verify a scammer?
Verification is essential when you think it is a scam call. There is confusion and time pressure when scammers trick people. When you use the right method to verify any point of contact, you will know the safety of the call. These are some of the ways you can use to ensure you stay ahead and avoid being scammed:
Cross-checking number details online
The obvious first step is check the suspicious number on the internet. The user reports of scam, spam, or telemarketing can often be found on many websites. If you see the number under complaints then that is a bad sign. By reading several reports, you obtain a better idea of the actual intentions of the caller.
Comparing with official contact info from trusted sources
Always cross-check the number of suspicious contacts with the official details. Check on the official website of the company or reliable documents. Fraudsters usually pretend that they are legitimate enterprises and employ similar figures with a little twist. In case the information does not match, consider the call unsafe.
Using government scam alert databases
Most governments maintain scam alert databases that they make available to the masses. Such websites provide lists of reported cases of fraud or an offence. Looking at such databases to identify suspicious numbers is evidence enough of danger. Others also include tips on the methods of scams that are currently used.
How to look up a legit phone number?
There are times you have to verify whether a company or an organization has that number or not. It is difficult to distinguish what is real because fraudsters tend to mimic legitimate enterprises. Luckily, there are ways to assure authenticity, such as turning to sources you trust. Such approaches make sure that you only connect with the real contacts.
Checking company websites
The official contact phone numbers of most companies are also placed on their websites. Read the correct information on the Contact Us section. Fraudsters can give you numbers which seem to be similar but have a slight difference. It is possible to compare the suspicious number and the official site to know the truth. In case it does not fit, then do not answer or provide any information.
Searching official directories
Official directories are now good sources of checking numbers. Verified contact listings are found on the Internet by many industries and organizations to be used. Looking in these directories would help in making sure that the number is listed in the right company. The utilization of directories spares you the hype of utilizing third party information that has not been authenticated.
Using verified business profiles
Verified business profiles may be presented through social media and search engines. These normally comprise proper phone numbers, emails and addresses. Always look out for the blue checkmark or the verification badge. These symbols are not easily falsified and therefore profiles are more reliable.
What to do if you answer a suspicious call?
There’s always a high possibility that you answer a suspicious call by mistake. While this might expose you to dangers like scams, there are ways you can maneuver the situation. By taking certain measures, you will be able to minimize the risks and avoid scammers. These are things you need to do if you mistakenly answer suspicious calls:
Avoid sharing personal details
Account numbers and other sensitive information should never be given over the phone to callers you don’t know. Fraudsters usually request banking information, passwords, or identifications. Even little things such as your birthday may be used against you. Ensure you don’t carelessly share information that can harm you in the future.
Hang up and block the number
In case the call is suspicious, hang up. Do not disagree with the caller or attempt to outwit them. Hanging up prevents any more manipulation. From there, block the number so that the caller will not call you again.
This will be an easy task, which will minimize the potential risks in the future as well as offer peace of mind. Blocking also denies scammers to make another call with malicious intent.
Report the call to authorities
Community safety is a valuable criteria to report suspicious calls. Report to consumer protection bodies, phone service providers or the police. Such reports assist in following the numbers of scams and alerting other people.
The more the reports, the harder scammers would find success in their tactics. Making the move helps in a broader fight against phone fraud. Reporting also helps others to identify scams easier.
How to know the number your teens have answered?
Scammers normally target teenagers since they are relatively inexperienced in detecting fraud. This can lead to loss of sensitive information that not only puts the child at risk, but the whole family. But, with the right methods, you can easily know the numbers your teens have answered. Here are unique ways you can know the numbers your teens have answered.
Reviewing call history on their devices
The first thing to do is to check their call log history to see who has contacted them. Reading call logs will enable parents to identify contacts they are unaware of easily. Checking numbers on a regular basis will allow you to identify any suspicious patterns before the matter gets out of hand. If you find suspicious calls, you should try checking in with them for an explanation on who that might be.
Setting up monitoring tools
With the surge in scams, kids have become an easy target for fraudsters. Such activities often lead to financial exploitation, data loss and emotional distress. That’s why parents need to be active and caution kids about picking or replying to unknown numbers. It also means that parents need reliable parental control tools that can help them identify such numbers and make safety changes.
One app that has all it takes when it comes to kids digital safety is FlashGet Kids. This app offers a screen mirroring feature which lets you see through your kids device. With this feature, you can easily check their call logs or messages to see who they’re talking to. This means that you will not only be able to monitor your kids, but also guarantee their digital safety.
Educating teens about scam calls
Most teens don’t have sufficient protection against scam in terms of technology and advice. Teach your kids about scam calls and the dangers they pose. Advice them not to give out personal information to strangers.
Remind them that there are no legitimate companies which would be calling them up and putting pressure on them over the phone. Frequent discussions make teenagers feel confident in dealing with dubious calls. This provides avenues for more secure decisions in the future.
Conclusion
Learning how to deal with scam calls will go a long way to protect you against exploitation. Be cautious of numbers that ask for confidential information and often want it in a rush. Ensure you verify the numbers to know whether it’s real or a scam.
To protect kids even further against scam calls, you should consider using monitoring apps like FlashGet Kids. With such apps, you can easily check who they are communicating with through calls or messages.
