Scams

Robocalls

What are Robocalls?

Robocalls are calls made with an autodialer or that contain a message made with a prerecorded or artificial voice.

Advances in technology have unfortunately allowed illegal and spoofed robocalls to be made from anywhere in the world and more cheaply and easily than ever before. That’s why it’s become more of a problem for consumers, and a more difficult problem to solve.

Keep in mind

Many robocalls are legal. While we have taken several actions, and continue to work on reducing illegal robocalls, it is a difficult problem that requires complex solutions. The most complex part is identifying the illegal calls in real time to be able to block them without blocking lawful calls.

Tips for robocalls

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer such a call, hang up immediately.
• You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Be aware: Caller ID showing a “local” number does not necessarily mean it is a local caller.
• If you answer the phone and the caller – or a recording – asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, you should just hang up. Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.
• Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “Yes.”
• Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious.
• If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company’s or government agency’s website to verify the authenticity of the request. You will usually get a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a legitimate source, particularly if the caller is asking for a payment.
• Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.
• If you have a voice mail account with your phone service, be sure to set a password for it. Some voicemail services are preset to allow access if you call in from your own phone number. A hacker could spoof your home phone number and gain access to your voice mail if you do not set a password.
• Talk to your phone company about call blocking tools they may have and check into apps that you can download to your mobile device to block unwanted calls.
• If you use robocall-blocking technology already, it often helps to let that company know which numbers are producing unwanted calls so they can help block those calls for you and others.
• To block telemarketing calls, register your number on the Do Not Call List. Legitimate telemarketers consult the list to avoid calling both landline and wireless phone numbers on the list.

What to do if you encounter a robocall

File a complaint with OCP, to ensure we know local trends in robocalls and can report to the FCC for national statistics

Check out the consumer guide on Call Blocking Tools and Resources, which includes information on many of the call blocking and labeling tools currently available to consumers.

Spoofing

Spoofing is the sometimes illegal practice of faking the number that is calling you. If you see a number like this on your caller ID, remember that it could be faked. Letting it go to voicemail is one option. If you do pick up and don’t recognize the caller — hang up.

When your phone rings and it looks like a local call, you may be more likely to answer. Scammers count on this and can easily fake caller ID numbers. They even can match the first six digits of your own number, which is called “neighbor spoofing.” The urge to answer can be tough to resist, since you might worry it’s a neighbor who needs help, or the school nurse.

What happens

If you answer, the scammer may employ social engineering tactics in an attempt to steal your money or valuable information. These tactics can range from simple requests for you to hit a button on your phone, to larger requests, such as asking for your Social Security number. While the latter may seem easily avoidable, the tactics scammers employ can be so subtle or deceiving that individuals do not question their legitimacy or authority.

Prevent spoofing calls

Call blocking services that block or flag unwanted calls can help. Some are free and others cost money.

You also can register your number with the Do Not Call Registry. The Do Not Call Registry is designed to stop sales calls from legitimate companies, so it won’t stop calls from scammers.

Be skeptical of generic greetings, such as ones that address you with “Dear customer,” as opposed to your real name.

Avoid answering unknown numbers, as scam callers will regularly use unknown numbers.

Pay attention to the caller’s tone of voice, and avoid giving information to a caller who seems pushy or demanding. This is a tactic employed by scammers to make matters appear urgent, thereby manipulating the human agency to react.

Be wary of the reason a caller gives you for needing your personal information. If the caller says they need it for an event you had never previously heard of, hang up immediately.

Don’t stay on the phone line. Trust your gut if you have any concerns regarding the legitimacy of the caller. Hang up immediately.

Tips about spoofing

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you do, hang up immediately.
• Don’t hit any buttons. If the caller asks you to, hang up immediately.
• Don’t answer any questions, especially ones regarding your personal information.
• Never reveal personal information, such as your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, passwords, or credit card numbers.
• Don’t assume they are who they say they are. If you receive a call from somebody representing a company or a government agency, hang up and call back the phone number on the company or agency’s website. This will help verify the caller.
• Don’t put your trust into the caller until you can assure they are who they say they are.
• Don’t panic. Social engineers will see this as vulnerability and try harder in their attempts to manipulate you into revealing personal information.
• Set a password for your voicemail account. A scammer could hack into your voicemail if it is not properly secured with a password.

What to do if you encounter spoofing

You also can help by reporting unwanted calls. We take the phone numbers you report and release them to the public each business day. This helps phone carriers and other partners that are working on call blocking solutions. Your reports also help law enforcement identify the people behind illegal calls.

Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009

Under the Truth in Caller ID Act, FCC rules prohibit anyone from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm or wrongly obtain anything of value. Anyone who is illegally spoofing can face penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation.

There are legal uses for spoofing, which include any instance that does not intend to cause harm, defraud, or wrongly obtain anything of value. For example, when a delivery service or doctorʻs office calls a person from their personal phone and display the office number, or a business displays its toll-free call-back number.

Telemarketing Fraud

Too many Hawaii consumers are losing money to fraudulent telemarketers. The problem with telemarketing fraud is that it is difficult to tell whether a caller is legitimate, and it is sometimes difficult for people to hang up on telemarketers.

The Problem

Too many Hawaii consumers are losing money to fraudulent telemarketers. Victims are of many different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and range from those with little formal education to those with professional degrees. All ages are affected, although seniors receive a large percentage of the calls. The problem with telemarketing fraud is that it is difficult to tell whether a caller is legitimate, and it is sometimes difficult for people to hang up on telemarketers. Certain individuals, and especially seniors, are targeted relentlessly by telemarketers. This is especially true if the person has already given money to a telemarketer or has been victimized in the past.

Common Telephone Scams

Prize offers: “You are eligible to win the grand prize!” “You have won the lottery!”
There is no prize, or the prize is worthless or overpriced. You are usually told that you have to pay something in advance to get your “free” prize. In most cases, you are told to pay “taxes”, or “handling fees” or “delivery charges” or are forced to buy vitamins or some other product in order to receive your prize. Chances are you will never see any prize or winnings. In some situations, the offer of a prize is merely a ruse to obtain your credit card or checking account information. It is against the law for a telemarketer to require you to pay ANY money or buy anything to enter a sweepstakes or contest. In Hawaii, it is against the law to participate in a lottery, whether the lottery is located in Hawaii or in another state or another country.

Charities: “You have given money to XYZ Law Enforcers Federation in the past, and we are asking for your annual contribution to our Children’s Fund. We fight drug abuse, sponsor sports events for poor children, and publish a magazine. How many tickets can you buy?”
Con artists often label phony charities with names that sound like better-known, reputable organizations. They won’t send you written information or wait for you to check them out with Consumer Protection or the Better Business Bureau. Because these organizations may not be actual charities, your contributions may not be tax-deductible.

Credit repair/loans: “We can repair your credit and get you a loan!”
Many companies promise, for an up-front fee, to repair credit or lend money, and then fail to provide the advertised services. It is against the law for a telemarketer to ask for an advance fee to repair your credit or get a loan.

Recovery rooms: “We know you got taken by a telemarketer and for a fee, we can help you recover the money you lost!”
You may be scammed a second time. It is against the law to ask for an advance payment to recover monies lost to telemarketers.

Tips to protect yourself from telemarketing fraud

Tell the caller that you do not wish to be called again, and hang up the phone. It is illegal for interstate telemarketers to call you if you have asked to be placed on their “do not call” list. Calling times are restricted to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time.

Interstate telemarketers must tell you if they are making a sales call, the name of the seller, and what they are selling before they make their pitch. If it’s a prize promotion, they must tell you that no purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win.

Never buy at the time of the sales pitch. Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a fast decision. Never respond to an offer you don’t thoroughly understand. Never send money or give out your credit card or bank account number to unfamiliar companies. Don’t believe that giving some money to a telemarketer “just one time” will make him or her go away. You will probably receive even more calls.

Don’t do business by phone with unfamiliar companies. Legitimate businesses understand when you want more information about their offer or company. Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you feel the telemarketer is pressuring you, hang up.

Check with the Better Business Bureau and the State of Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection to determine whether other consumers have filed complaints against the telemarketing organization you are investigating. Unfortunately, not all-bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.

Avoiding Telemarketing Scams