Telecommunications scams are on the rise, and they can be very costly to consumers. In 2021, Americans lost over $20 billion to telecommunications scams. How to Avoid Telecommunications Scams

Here are some tips on how to avoid falling victim to a telecommunications scam:

**1. ** Be suspicious of unsolicited calls: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your telecommunications provider, be suspicious. Telecommunications providers will never call you out of the blue to ask for your personal information or to make changes to your account.

**2. ** Hang up if you’re unsure: If you’re not sure if the caller is legitimate, hang up and call your telecommunications provider directly using the number on your bill.

**3. ** Don’t give out your personal information: Never give out your personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account number, to someone you don’t know.

**4. ** Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true: If someone offers you a great deal on your telecommunications services, be wary. Scammers often offer deals that are too good to be true in order to lure victims in.

**5. ** Check the caller ID: If you receive a call from a number that you don’t recognize, check the caller ID. If the caller ID says “scam likely,” don’t answer the call.

**6. ** Use a credit card: If you do have to make a payment to your telecommunications provider over the phone, use a credit card. This will give you more protection if the payment is fraudulent.

**7. ** Report scams to authorities: If you think you’ve been the victim of a telecommunications scam, report it to your country’s government agency responsible for protecting consumers. They probably can help you get your money back and prevent others from being scammed.

Here are some additional tips to help you avoid telecommunications scams:

• Be aware of the latest scams: Scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people. Stay informed about the latest telecommunications scams by reading articles and watching videos from reputable sources.
• Talk to your friends and family: Let your friends and family know about telecommunications scams. If they receive a suspicious call, they can be more likely to hang up and report it.
• Be careful what you click on: Scammers often send emails and text messages that contain links to fake websites. If you click on one of these links, you could be taken to a website that looks like your telecommunications provider’s website. Once you’re on a fake website, scammers can steal your personal information.
• Keep your software up to date: Software updates often include security patches that can help protect you from scams. Make sure to keep your software up to date, especially your web browser and antivirus software.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from telecommunications scams.

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