According to the Federal Trade Commission in 2024, the second most common way for scammers to reach victims was by phone call. Over time, scammers have found numerous ways to manipulate people into sending them money or providing personal or sensitive information over the phone. After covering text message scams recently, we will now address phone call scams.

Types of Phone Call Scams

When a scammer makes a phone call, they often use a mix of tactics to try and sway their target. They might come off as friendly or even create a sense of fear, all in an effort to get the victim to send money or share personal information. Unfortunately, this information can then be used to commit fraud. Common types of phone call scams include the following:

• Expired warranty – The scammer claims that without the manufacturer’s warranty on your car, you may end up paying thousands of dollars down the road to fix issues.
• Grandchildren in need – The caller may impersonate one of your grandchildren claiming to have been in an accident or under arrest and in need of money for hospital bills or bail.
• Imposter – While impersonating a business, the scammer claims to need your username or password to verify your account. Real businesses, including West Bank, will never ask you for this information.
• Fake charity – Scammers may pose as a charity asking you to support their cause.
• Tech support – Claiming to be from major tech companies, fraudsters convince the victim that one of their electronic devices is malfunctioning. They may request remote access to your device, and once they have that, they are free to examine all the information you have stored on the system.

Spot the Scam

If you receive an unsolicited phone call from a number you do not know, do not answer the phone. If it is important and legitimate, the individual will leave a message. If you answer the phone and are suspicious of it being a scam, keep these following characteristics of a phone scam in mind.

1. Appeal to emotions – The scammer takes advantage of their connection with you over the phone by appealing to your emotions. They will stir your feelings by appealing to fear, excitement, sympathy, greed, hope, or panic. Once you are in a more heightened emotional state, you are less likely to think clearly and rationally.
2. Sense of urgency – The scammer will urge you to act quickly to catch you off guard. If someone on the other side of the phone pressures you to act immediately or threatens you with negative consequences, this is a sign of a scam.
3. Specific payment methods – Scammers often ask for payment in ways that make it nearly impossible to get your money back. They typically use payment methods such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or wire transfers.
4. Asking for sensitive information – Scammers request confidential information such as usernames, passwords, or your Social Security number to verify your identity. Government agencies and financial institutions will never call you asking for this information or threaten you if you do not provide it.

Reporting Phone Call Scams

West Bank will never call, email, or text you to ask for sensitive information such as tokens, usernames and passwords, or account information. Remember to never give out your personal or financial information unless you initiate the call and are confident in the legitimacy of the request.

1. If you believe you may have fallen victim to this type of scam, please contact West Bank Customer Service at 1-800-810-2301.
2. Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
3. If you did not send any money and want to add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry, fill out the form at donotcall.gov.