Fraud initiated by telephone call
In 2019, telephone calls were the main contact method used by scammers. This is largely due to advancements in technology.
Below are the top methods used to initiate telephone fraud:
- Automated dialing
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This is a device or software that automatically dials telephone numbers. Scammers may:
- use lists of phone numbers
- set up the dialer to call all possible configurations of phone numbers in a given region
- Robocalls
- This is a phone call that uses an auto dialer to deliver a pre-recorded message. The recorded message may use a computerized/robotic voice or that of a real person.
- Spoofing
- Occurs when caller ID or call display are manipulated to show trusted phone numbers. This tricks people into answering the call and believing they are speaking with a trusted source.
- Delayed disconnect (only on landlines)
- To make themselves seem real, scammers who pretend to be from your bank or another institution will sometimes ask you to verify their identity by ending your current call and immediately calling the number of your bank or another institution. When you call that number, the previous scammer will answer again because the original call was never disconnected.
How to protect yourself from telephone fraud
- Register your phone number for free with Canada's National Do Not Call List
- If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message, hang up. Do not press 1 or call back
- Whenever you're asked to make a secondary call, wait a few minutes after ending the original call or call back from a different phone number
- If you're not expecting a call or do not recognize the Caller ID, let the call go to your answering machine
Learn more about protecting yourself from telephone fraud.
Browse types of telephone scams.
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