SIMPLE ADVICE TO PREVENT PHONE SCAMS

We've all had the experience: You answer the phone even if you don't recognize the caller's number. The individual answering the phone is friendly, greets you by name, and begins to inquire about your personal or financial situation.

There are some unwanted calls that are more bothersome than hazardous, like those from telemarketers, but there are other calls that might be scams that cause serious identity theft or major financial loss.

Because of this, exercise caution. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has offered the following advice to help consumers stop robocalls that are unwanted and stay away from phone scams:

• Don't take calls from  strange numbers. If you do, end the call right away.

• It's possible that the phone number of an incoming call has been fictitiously changed, or "spoofed," to persuade you to pick it up. Remember: Just because Caller ID displays a local number doesn't guarantee the call is coming from a local number. Additionally, hang up the phone if you answer and it's not the person you were expecting.

• Hang up if the caller or a recording urges you to press a button to stop receiving calls after you answer the phone. This tactic is frequently used by scammers to find potential victims.

• Never answer a question with "yes." Scammers might be able to capture the response and use it as a voice signature to approve unauthorized phone charges.

• Never respond to unexpected calls or if you have any reason to be suspicious by giving out personal information, such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mothers' maiden names, passwords, or other identifying information.

• Hang up and contact the number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company's or government agency's website to check the validity of the request if you receive a call claiming to be from a company or a government agency. A legitimate supplier would typically provide you a written statement before calling you, especially if they are demanding payment.

• If someone is pressuring you for money or information right now, proceed with extreme care.

• If your phone service includes a voicemail feature, be careful to secure it with a password. Some voicemail providers are set up to let you listen to your messages if you dial your own phone number. If you don't create a password, a hacker could impersonate your home phone number and access your voicemail.

• Check into apps that you can download to your mobile device to block incoming calls, and inquire with your phone provider about any call-blocking features it may offer.

Unwanted calls are the federal agency's top consumer complaint, and phone scams are growing more prevalent and inventive, said the FCC.

Keep these suggestions in mind the next time your phone calls. Always err on the side of caution to safeguard your pocketbook and identity.