As of 2024, 97% of people in the U.S. own a cell phone or smartphone according to Pew Research Center. That being said, it would not be an overstatement to say that the majority of people of all ages need to be vigilant against phone fraud. In 2023 there were 2.6 million instances of fraud were reported to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The sheer number of fraud reports shows that no one is immune to phone fraud, phishing or scams.

How to protect yourself against fraud

Fraud can come in many different forms and thieves are becoming increasingly sly. Unfortunately, there are people who will take advantage of the generosity of others in times of crisis . In October, Hurricanes Helene and Milton ravaged parts of the south and scammers were quick to take action. Indianapolis WRTV released a story  warning individuals to be diligent and check their sources before sending money to relief aid. It is common for scammers to pretend to be large or recognizable organizations, like the American Red Cross.   

Protecting yourself against phone fraud, phishing and scams has never been more important. Consider these tips to help protect yourself:

• Scammers can pretend to be a person or organization you may normally do business with. Don’t provide information to an unexpected caller claiming to be from a familiar business.
• Do an online search with the caller’s company name and add the word “scam” to see if others have reported similar calls as scams.
• Don’t be fooled by your caller ID —technology makes it easier for scammers to fake caller ID information.
• Don’t pay for anything over the phone unless you expect the call or initiated the call directly to a company. Use a credit card when making phone payments for their built-in fraud protection.
• Be skeptical. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and do some research before providing any personal information.

This concept is not limited only to monetary donations. After big storms or natural disasters, it is not uncommon for contractors to go door-to-door soliciting their contracting services. To ensure that you hire a reputable contractor when you need it most, do your research before making any quick decisions. To learn more about this, check out our blog post on how to select a reputable contractor after severe weather.

How do I report phone fraud?

In the event that you have found yourself a victim of phone fraud, it is important to report the incident. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission recommends reporting scams, phone frauds, fraudulent companies, and unwanted calls on its website here. It is important to report phone fraud and other scams in order to better help law enforcement in the future.

The Office of the Indiana Attorney General provides resources on topics such as identity theft, fraud and other scams. Visit the Attorney General’s website where you can sign up for fraud alerts, access their ID Theft Protection Toolkit and more.

What is phishing?

Phishing is when scammers try to lure unsuspecting users into clicking untrustworthy links and providing personal information. Phishing attempts often happen under the guise of pretending to be a corporation that you already know and trust.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends keeping an eye out for these common themes used in an attempt for phishing:

• Say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts

• Claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information

• Say you must confirm personal information

• Ask you to click on a link to make a payment

• Say you’re eligible to register for a government refund

• Offer a coupon for free stuff
  

How to protect yourself against phishing

Similar to protecting yourself against phone fraud, being vigilant against phishing is key to protecting yourself and your information. Here are a few things to consider when reading an email that could save you from falling for a phishing attempt:

• Be cautious of emails that create a sense of urgency or importance with a request to act, such as clicking a link, opening an attachment or replying with information.

• Evaluate the sender's email address and look for grammar mistakes or wording that is not consistent with what you would expect from someone sending you an email. 

• Read a link before using it to ensure the domain in the address matches what you'd expect. You can do this by hovering your mouse over the link if you're on a computer or pressing and holding down the link if using a smartphone. 

• When in doubt, directly contact the individual or organization the message is from to ensure they sent it.

To learn more about online scams, phishing, malware, and online best practices, read our article on the top tips to protect yourself from being hacked.

The majority of people of all ages need to be vigilant against phone fraud, phishing and scams. There are lots of things to look out for when detecting a fake message, like asking for personal information, offering free items and many more. Take advantage of the resources available to you, and be cautious and vigilant in order to protect yourself and your information.