Thanks for choosing Orange County Computer, Inc.

949-699-6619 | 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday : Saturday by Appointment

Orange County Computer INC.
  • OCC Home
  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Location
    • Testimonials
    • Partners
    • Computer Repair Warranty
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Referral Program
  • Tech Center Services
    • Desktop Repair
    • Laptop Repair Services
    • Virus Removal
    • Tech Support Services
    • Data Recovery
    • E-Waste Recycling
    • Disaster Recovery
  • Business IT Services
    • Enterprise WiFi Solutions
    • Managed Services
    • Software Licensing
    • Why Choose a Microsoft Partner
    • Software Application Development
  • Technologies
    • Disaster Recovery Solutions
    • Data Backup & Storage Solutions
    • Offsite Backup
    • Software Support
    • Virtualization
    • Firewall & Security
    • Servers
  • Web Services
    • Domain Registrar
    • Hosting Services
    • Web Design
  • OCC Home
  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Location
    • Testimonials
    • Partners
    • Computer Repair Warranty
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Referral Program
  • Tech Center Services
    • Desktop Repair
    • Laptop Repair Services
    • Virus Removal
    • Tech Support Services
    • Data Recovery
    • E-Waste Recycling
    • Disaster Recovery
  • Business IT Services
    • Enterprise WiFi Solutions
    • Managed Services
    • Software Licensing
    • Why Choose a Microsoft Partner
    • Software Application Development
  • Technologies
    • Disaster Recovery Solutions
    • Data Backup & Storage Solutions
    • Offsite Backup
    • Software Support
    • Virtualization
    • Firewall & Security
    • Servers
  • Web Services
    • Domain Registrar
    • Hosting Services
    • Web Design

Common Phone Scams and How to Avoid Them

Orange County Computer INC. > About Us > Blog > Blog > Common Phone Scams and How to Avoid Them

Common Phone Scams and How to Avoid Them

Phone Fraud

Every year thousands of people are tricked by criminals entering their lives via their telephones. Scammers target millions of Americans every year.  One of the most infamous phone scams, the IRS scam, has stolen over $14 million over the course of 5 years and its only getting worse.  According to AARP, about half of all mobile calls are now fraudulent.  Here is what you need to know about phone scams and tips on how to avoid them and what to do if targeted.

Be Aware of the Latest Threats

As with other fraud activity, phone scams change and evolve as the public becomes aware. Which means you need to keep up to date and be on the lookout for an updated version of a scam or something completely new. A good place to look is the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Types of Scams

The infamous IRS phone scam, also known as an impostor scam, where in the scammer purports to be someone you know or a representative from an organization you trust. This scam is especially common around tax season. The caller ID will often show the letters ‘IRS’ in another layer of the scam. Please be aware the IRS does not make threatening phone calls or request wire transfers in order to avoid sending the police.

Additional Impostor scams are Debt Collector and Grandchild Impostor scams. The first being the con-artist pretends to be from a Debt Collection agency offer huge discounts on a debt that you have not incurred. This is often accompanied by a threat as well. Don’t pay any debt without legal documentation. The latter is what it sounds like, and preys on the elderly.  An impostor calls claiming to be a grandchild that has come into a dire situation while travelling overseas. The impostor then requests funds to be wire transferred. In this case, call your grandchild phone number or another relative to ensure whether they are indeed in trouble and need help.

Cyber Criminals are working overtime to cheat you out of money.

Another phone scam we have seen here at Orange County Computer are phone calls from a ’Windows Rescue Center’ advising you that your computer has been hacked and that our information is being stolen from malicious software and they will “help” clean it up once you give them personal details. Another is a call Claiming to be ‘Microsoft’ advising that your Microsoft license has expired and your computer will stop working soon. As with the IRS, Microsoft is not going to call you to renew you license, this is just another attempt to scare you into giving these scammers personal information.

What to do if you have been targeted

There are several steps you can take, the simplest being don’t answer any phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize, if it is important they will leave you a message. Another is register with the Do Not Call Registry and report any numbers that you suspect are scammers. For IRS scams you can call the Treasury Inspector General for the Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.  There are also many apps available for download on your phone to screen calls such as CallerSmart or Truecaller that will screen the phone numbers alerting you if it is a possible robocall. Another service we recommend is RoboKiller, that turns the tables on the scammer wasting their time. Finally you can block repeat offenders by following your cell phone providers instructions.

← Windows 7 End of Life is January 14, 2020. Are you prepared?
Windows 10 Update 1903 Has Bugs →

Recent News

  • AdSense Fraud Campaign: Is your site infected?
  • Looking for a Windows 10 Download? You’re Out of Luck!
  • Celebrating 25 Years as a Technology Solutions Provider!
  • The Southwest Airlines IT Meltdown
  • ‘Tis the season… to avoid holiday scams!

Contact Us

Orange County Computer, Inc.

26150 Enterprise Way, Suite 400
Lake Forest, CA 92630

949-699-6619

Recent Posts

  • AdSense Fraud Campaign: Is your site infected?

    Last fall, website security and performance specialists Sucuri reported on a mal...

  • Looking for a Windows 10 Download? You’re Out of Luck!

    On January 31st, Microsoft stopped the direct sale of Windows 10 licenses on its...

Search

    • Home
    • Site Map
    • Remote Support