In the past week from February 12 to 18, 2023, everything you need to know about scam calls and texts is displayed below in this article. For more reports about scam calls or texts to effectively avoid being trapped, click here.
Weekly Scam Alerts
Scam Calls Impersonating Police Officer
Mansfield police are warning residents about a phone scam involving a caller reportedly impersonating a police officer. The department says they’ve received dozens of complaints from area residents about calls they are getting from a “Sergeant Ryan Grimshaw,” according to a release from Mansfield police.
Keep in mind:
“If you do receive a call please do not respond.”
Mansfield police
News source: https://fox8.com/news/warning-issued-about-scam-calls-involving-police-impersonation/
Scam Spoofing Calls
A type of scam call is reported to be from a number belonging to the Ohio State University Police Department, according to the caller ID.
A woman claimed to be Officer Elaine Foster, who gave a badge number and a long, sorted tale about a vehicle in Texas, drugs and money laundering, all in her name. The woman then told the viewer that she would need to provide personal information to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind:
“If they seem overly harsh or demanding on the phone, just hang up. And look up that agency’s number that they’re trying to say they’re representing, and validate that call.”
Persons
News source: https://www.nbc4i.com/news/investigates/better-call-4/how-to-avoid-scam-spoofing-calls/
Weekly Blocking Data by RealCall
Number of Scam Calls Blocked by RealCall
In the past week (February 12 to 18), RealCall has blocked 273,252 suspicious calls for all users and the number has risen by 0.44% compared with that (272,062) in the weekly report last week from February 5 to 11. Among all the blocked calls, 131.631 calls are blocked via RealCall Blocklist, 139,698 (risen by 6.57% than that last week) via RealCall VOIP number base and 1,923 via RealCall toll-free number base.
The Riskiest Days during a Week
During the latest week, scam calls come most on Thursday when 52,477 scam calls were blocked in all, then come Friday (51,161 scam calls blocked) and Wednesday (50,931 scam calls blocked).
So, keep on high alert for your calls and messages this week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!
Top Scam Call Type
In the latest week, Police Officer Impersonating Scam Calls (scammers pretending to be from a police department) has been the top scam call type.
If you receive a call from a caller claiming to be from a police department and trying to ask for your personal information, just hang up.
RealCall Tips to Avoid Scams
Remember the following scam-likely signs below to avoid most scams.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it often is.
- Not registered with the Attorney General’s Office
- Will NOT provide written information or references
- An investment without a risk
- Unresponsive to questions or too quick to answer by cutting you off
- Something for free
- Offer to send someone to your home or to overnight something
- Request a credit or debit card or any banking account information
- Immediate decision
- High-pressure sales or frequent calls