EE has revealed four important scam-dodging tips for anyone with a smartphone.
Cyber-criminals often target phone owners by making convincing hoax calls – with devastating consequences.
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You could find your bank emptied, or at risk of extortion or fraud after giving away too much info to a crook over the phone.
Thankfully it’s easy enough to stay safe from these scams – if you know how to react when you receive a dangerous call.
UK mobile giant EE has revealed what you need to do when you end up on the phone with a scammer.
The first EE tip is to “keep calm”.
“Malicious calls are often made by people trying to get a reaction,” EE explained.
“Staying calm often stops them.”
Typically scam callers will try to rush you into action – often with deadlines or threatening language.
But take the time to think about the request and you’ll be far less likely to become a victim.
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The second EE tip is to avoid handing out private info.
“Do not give any information about yourself, especially bank details,” EE advised.
“You should only give people you know and trust personal information, including your name and phone number.”
If someone on the phone tells you that they need your information, it should set off alarm bells ringing.
It’s best to simply decline, and them call the organisation directly using contact details on the official website.
That way you can verify any requests and expose potential scams.
EE’s third tip is to avoid revealing who you are when you answer the phone.
“Do not give out your mobile number,” EE said.
“When you answer just say ‘hello’ rather than giving your name and number.”
It might be a difficult habit to break for some people, but keeping scammers in the dark should be a top priority.
The fourth and final tip is to make sure you don’t allow scammers to get away with their con.
“If the call is malicious, and direct threats have been made against you or your family, you should report it the police,” EE said.
That way, the scammers can be investigated – and potentially stopped from targeting others.
