Be Aware of the Latest Phone Scams

Google Voice verification code scams: Scammers will pose as interested buyers or someone who’s found a lost pet. They will use your phone number listed in the ad to start setting up a Google Voice account. Next, the scammer will tell you that they’re about to send you a verification code for “security reasons.” This is a classic double-scam ploy in which the scammer acts as if you’re the one who they should be worried about. Once they have the verification code, they can take control of your Google Voice account and use it to commit other scams.

SIM swapping scams: This is a type of phone scam where the scammer tricks you into giving them your phone number. Once they have your phone number, they can contact your mobile carrier and request that your SIM card be swapped out for a new one. This will give the scammer access to your phone number and all of the accounts that are associated with it.

Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App scams: These are mobile payment apps that are often used to send and receive money. Scammers will often pose as someone you know and ask you to send them money through one of these apps. Once you send the money, it’s very difficult to get it back.

IRS impersonation scams: Scammers will call you and claim to be from the IRS. They will say that you owe taxes and that you need to pay immediately. They may even threaten to arrest you if you don’t pay. However, the IRS will never call you out of the blue to demand payment. If you receive a call like this, hang up and contact the IRS directly.

Sweepstakes and lottery scams: Scammers will often call you and tell you that you’ve won a sweepstakes or lottery. They will then ask you to pay a fee to claim your prize. However, these prizes are usually fake and the fee is just a way for the scammer to steal your money.

These are just a few of the latest phone scams that you should be aware of. If you receive a call from someone who you don’t know, be very careful about giving out any personal information. If you’re not sure if a call is legitimate, hang up and contact the company or organization directly.