Is This a Legitimate Number? 5 Signs You're Dealing With a Scam

Scam phone numbers are numbers operated by persons pretending to run a business, represent a government agency, etc., to deceive the caller. A few common scenarios that one might experience with scam callers include:

• Government agent: the caller will pretend to be from the FBI, IRS, or some other agency and will claim that you are in some sort of trouble you must resolve financially.
• Bank issue: Scammers sometimes claim to be associated with your bank and try to get you to disclose private information or make a transaction.
• Family or friend: The persona might pretend to be a close family member, friend, or someone who knows them. They'll use this connection to convince you to send money.
• Sweepstakes or prizes: A scam caller might try to convince you that you've won a prize but need to make a small payment or disclose personal information to claim it.

Whatever the scenario, such calls cost trusting Americans hundreds to thousands of dollars per year. According to research, in 2023 alone, scam phone calls impacted an estimated 56 million people across the United States. That same study, conducted over 12 months, estimated Americans lost as much as $25.4 billion to phone scams.

One way scammers fool targets is through a practice called "spoofing." The caller deliberately falsifies caller ID information, even disguising their actual number as that of a legitimate number belonging to a trusted agency. These encounters are especially harrowing because callers may assume that because the number is familiar and the caller ID matches a real organization or business, there's no need to be concerned.

Although it might be hard to identify a spoofed number, there are ways to trace them. For instance, Ringtree provides a free scam number search tool to help you double-check a suspicious call. You can also contact your phone service provider to verify whether it's a legitimate or scam-operated number.

With so many people harmed by phone scams, it can be easy to forget that many companies also feel the negative impact of this ongoing problem. These issues can manifest in a variety of ways, such as:

• Decreased lead generation: Before the age of robocalls and scammers, phone calls were a reliable way to engage potential leads. With so many people now flat-out refusing to respond to unknown numbers, it's harder than ever to generate leads by phone.
• Getting incorrectly marked as a spam call: Some business owners have had the unpleasant experience of seeing their legitimate number marked as a spam call or potential scam risk.
• Victimized by scammers: Scam calls to businesses typically involve impersonating trusted vendors or reputable services to gain access to sensitive information (usernames, passwords, credit card information, etc.) or establish fraudulent payments. Some might try to convince entrepreneurs to invest money in fake businesses.

Business owners and professionals have lost billions of dollars to scammers. No matter your circumstances, it is more important than ever to guard yourself or your company against fraudulent calls.

When identifying scam numbers, it's crucial to note that some area codes are more likely to be suspicious than others. For instance, the number may have the +1 code commonly associated with the United States or Canada, but an 829 area code traced to the Dominican Republic.

Often, 800 numbers are immediately associated with toll-free business numbers, so some recipients might immediately assume the caller represents a company. However, many 800 area code scams originate from numbers traced to parts of the Caribbean.

If you have to ask, "Is this a legitimate number?" there is a strong possibility that it isn't. Reputable companies and organizations will go out of their way to clear up ambiguity immediately. If you are left with lingering concerns, rather than ignore them, immediately shut down any situation that could lead to getting victimized by scammers.

Apply the following strategies to keep your company, employees, and customers safe from scam callers:

• Always ask questions: Get as much information as you can for verification. Ask the caller to repeat their name. Ask for a separate number, extension, website, email address, and physical location. If relevant, ask for dates. If the caller refuses to answer your questions, is deliberately vague, or tries to pressure you to stop asking questions, end the call.
• Be specific: Ask for ID numbers or industry-relevant identification that a serious caller would know, but a scammer might not. If, for instance, you've done business with the vendor, the caller is impersonating, asking for an invoice number, or if they know someone who works for the company that does not exist, If they lie or present fake information, hang up immediately.
• Use a scam call checker: If unsure about the number's legitimacy, search for it online. You can also use Ringtree's free scam phone number checker. If it's a scam number, block and report it.
• Contact your phone company: If you aren't sure about a call, reach out to your phone service provider for more information about the identity of the person or company that called. If they determine that it's a scam number, you can ask for assistance in blocking them or advice for other steps you may need to take.

We understand how concerning getting a call from an unfamiliar number can be. You don't want to risk missing out on a lead or valuable professional connection, yet you don't want to open yourself up to fraud or scams.

Ringtree has a free scam phone checker that anyone can use. Just enter the number and press "check number." In a few seconds, you'll receive a search result that shares whether the number is known as a scam or is perfectly safe. If you'd like to learn more about our services and how they can help your business, call 1-888 564-8403 or email support@ringtree.io today!