Alabama phone scams involve using phone services to deliberately steal money or information from Alabama residents. In Alabama, residents can be scammed via a live call, robocall, internet browsing, and text messages. Phone scammers use spoofing apps to impersonate legitimate businesses or close contacts of the target. However, a phone lookup application can help you locate the true origin of the call.
The Alabama Attorney General's office (AAG) and the Alabama Security Commission are putting up measures to protect Alabama residents from phone scams. There are many types of phone scams in the state. Persons who receive suspicious calls can file complaints with the AAG. Common phones scams in Alabama include:
- Attorney General's Office Impersonation scam: here, scammers claim to be calling on behalf of the AAG to inform a resident that they have a warrant for their arrest. The scammers may offer different reasons for the warrant and claim failure to pay income tax or fraud involvement. Generally, individuals react to the claim by stating that the caller might be making a mistake, which is exactly what the scammer wants.
The scammers then request the target's information to do some verification. This is a means of getting individuals to give up personal information. Note, the AAG will never ask individuals to take any legal action on the telephone.
- Jury Duty scam: here, scammers who claim to be representing a local court inform individuals that they have failed to report for jury duty. This is usually followed by a claim that there is a warrant for their arrest and a request for money or information. Note that court representatives will never ask for your social security number and personal information via the telephone.
- Debt collection scam: this occurs when a caller who pretends to work with a debt collection firm claims that the recipient has a call they did not know about. Scammers use fear to persuade individuals to pay some money.
- Lottery/sweepstakes scam: this is where the recipient is informed that they won a prize, gift, or money. Scammers ask for some upfront payment to secure the prize.
- Debit card scams: where scammers call and impersonate a target's bank. They usually inform the target of some fraudulent charges on their debit card. A debit scam is always a plot to obtain the last three digits or the security code on the back of the victim's card.
- Alabama PowerPoint scam: here, fraudsters call a customer who recently made a payment on their Alabama power account. Scammers falsely claim that the payment did not process and they need to repay immediately. Residents may contact Alabama PowerPoint customer services at 1-800-245-2244.
- Credential scam: This is where scammers use labels like senior specialists, CPA, or CLU to trick unsuspecting individuals into giving up their money. A scammer pretending to be an expert in some areas calls a target and informs them of some service they need. These fraudsters offer bogus deals to their victims and sound very convincing. The AAG advises individuals to verify whether the individuals are who they claim to be. A reverse phone lookup service provider can help you identify who the caller is.
- Charity scam: here, the scammer masquerades as a charity organization.
- Loan scam: where the scammer targets people with low credit scores with predatory loans.
What are Alabama IRS Scams?
Alabama Internal Revenue Scams are scams perpetrated by impersonating officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Scammers usually have enough information about their target before placing this call. This makes the recipient think it is a legitimate call. These fraudsters often tell their victims that they owe the agency money, and failure to pay the amount may lead to the victim's arrest.
The IRS has advised residents to call 1-890-829-1040 when they know or think they are owing tax. In addition to this, residents who are sure they do not owe tax and have been contacted by a scammer claiming otherwise should call and report the caller to the Treasury Inspector General For Tax Administration. Reverse phone number lookups can retrieve the true identities of such callers.
Alabama Tech Support Scams
A tech support scam occurs when a caller impersonating a reputable tech company tricks innocent individuals into giving up money or personal information. Tech support scams often involve a request from the caller to access the computer of the target. The request is usually made after the scammer has made the victim believe that their computer is infected with a virus. The AAG advises residents to exercise caution when contacted by a computer or phone company in this way.
Alabama Voice Phishing Scams
Voice Phishing scams are commonly used to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information like passwords, bank account details, and social security number. Scammers often spoof their phone numbers to display misleading information, such as the details of a legitimate business or government agency number. The AAG advises Alabama residents to never give personal information over the phone unless they initiated the call.
What are Alabama Emergency Scams?
The AAG also refers to these as "Grandparents Scams" since they are usually targeted at elderly people. Emergency scams usually involve spoofing phone numbers to impersonate a family member or friend. Scammers always claim to be in dire need that only the recipient can solve. Generally, emergency scams leverage on the victim's desire to help a family in need. Emergency scammers may disguise their voices or claim to sound different due to emotional stress or injury.
Residents are advised to ask questions if a caller claims to be a family member. The AAG also advises that individuals do not wire transfer because of a telephone solicitation. It does not matter if the person claims to be family, ensure you verify who they are by contacting another family member. Contact your local law enforcement agency immediately if you discover that you have been contacted by a scammer.
How Do I Avoid Becoming a Victim of a Phone Scam?
- Never give anyone your personal information over the phone. Legitimate companies or organizations will not call you and demand immediate payment, bank, or credit information.
- Avoid taking calls from numbers you do not recognize, instead allow such calls to go to voicemail, and after that, do a reverse phone lookup. A reverse phone search engine can provide you all you need to know about the caller.
- Never allow a caller to persuade you into making a quick decision on the telephone. Hang up if you notice the caller is pushing too hard to convince you.
- Hang up if anyone calls to tell you that your computer needs tech support.
- The IRS will never ask you to pay tax with gift cards.
- Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry.
- End the call as soon as you realize it is a robocall.
- Do some research on suspicious contracts, investment opportunities, new business associates, charities, opportunities. service providers or deals.
- Avoid using free unprotected Wi-Fi in public places. Personal information is susceptible to theft on shared public networks.
- Residents may report fraud or suspicion of fraud and identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Always check for the latest information on scam and fraud trends. Sign up for updates from organizations such as the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).