DON’T ignore dangerous signs that you’re speaking to a crook on the phone.
A cyber-expert has revealed two “red flags” that a call to your iPhone or Android is a total scam.
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Scam calls are an effective way for a criminal to part you from your cash.
They can be highly convincing, take place at any time, and can take significant sums of money – or enough private info to extort or defraud you.
The warning signs for scam calls depend on the type of con a cyber-criminal is operating.
But we spoke to Paige Mullen, Criminologist and Cyber Crime Advisor at Advanced Cyber Defence Systems, who revealed that most cyber-criminals give themselves away with two tactics.
And the first is when someone representing a company calls you out of the blue asking for personal info.
“There are a few warning signs to look out for when considering whether a phone call is a scam or not,” Paige told The Sun.
“First of all, if any personal or sensitive information is requested over the phone, do not pass this over unless you can guarantee that you are talking to the legitimate company.
“The best thing to do in this situation is to contact the company after researching the number yourself to ensure legitimacy.
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“Never call back the number that has called you, always research it yourself.”
If you use the contact details given in the first call, you may find yourself back on the phone with a scammer.
So it’s best to make your own way to customer services through the official website or app so that you can verify any request or claim.
Another key warning sign is when someone tries to rush you into making a decision.
This is a classic scammer tactic that should set off alarm bells ringing.
“If there is a sense of urgency on the phone, treat this with suspicion,” Paige revealed.
“Urgency and emotion are often used in scam phone calls to try and distract you from thinking through the situation thoroughly.
“In moments of panic, it’s common for individuals to resort to illogical actions driven by the urgency to resolve the issue quickly.
“For example, giving over credit card details, in order to sort out the problem as soon as possible.
“Cybercriminals capitalise on these heightened emotions, preying on individuals who may feel as though they do not have the time to thoroughly consider the situation.”
If you’re feeling pressure on a phone call, it’s best to just hang up and think the situation through.
Speak to friends or loved ones for a common-sense check on whether the call is likely to be legitimate or not.
