Telephone Scams: How to Identify and Verify Fraudulent Phone Numbers
With the increasing prevalence and sophistication of phone scams, it is crucial to be vigilant against unrecognized numbers and to know how to identify and verify potential fraud before answering.
Identifying Scam Phone Numbers
To avoid falling victim, it is essential to be aware of common red flags associated with scam phone numbers. Fraudulent numbers often impersonate legitimate organizations or government agencies, use aggressive advertising tactics to solicit personal information, or display other suspicious characteristics. If you receive a call from any of these, consider not answering or calling back.
– International phone numbers with prefixes: +224, +231, +232, +247, +252, +375, +381, +371, +563, +255, +370…
– Domestic scam phone numbers in Vietnam: +024, +028, +1900.
– According to Hanoi City Police, numbers such as: 6781, 6768, 7775, 8781, 7777, 8700, 8125, 7769, 6716, 8791, 7786, 8774… pose significant fraud risks.
If you experience frequent missed calls from unknown numbers, or answer calls with no response, immediately look up the phone number. Additionally, if you receive a call requesting personal information, such as bank account details or identification numbers, remain calm and do not disclose any data to avoid unauthorized access.
Verifying Scam Phone Numbers
In cases where you need to ascertain the caller’s identity and verify whether the number is fraudulent, follow these steps:
Inquire with Operator Hotline Numbers
Major Vietnamese telecommunication providers such as Mobifone, Vinafone, and Viettel offer customer service hotlines for reporting fraudulent numbers.
Dial *18008098 for Viettel, *18001091 for Vinafone, or *18001090 for Mobifone. Additionally, you can report scams to the authorities by calling *156.
Search Using Google
Use Google to search the suspected phone number. In a few seconds, it will display all relevant information associated with the number. However, this method may not be effective against sophisticated anonymous numbers.
Utilize Software Applications
Applications like Truecaller and Specialized are popular for identifying scam phone numbers. However, using such software can be more complex than other verification methods. With Truecaller, you can access over 6 million phone numbers to search for caller information.
Check through Personal Facebook Account
Verifying phone numbers on Facebook is straightforward. Simply enter the number into the search bar. Within seconds, all related information about the number will be displayed.
If you enter the exact phone number, you may be able to access the caller’s Facebook profile, providing quick and effective identification. However, newer versions of Facebook may not support this feature due to enhanced user privacy protection.
Inquire through Zalo, Skype, or Viber
Communication apps like Skype, Viber, and Zalo can also be used to verify phone numbers. Simply enter the suspected number into the app’s search bar, and the account registered with that number will appear.
However, to ensure user privacy, you may only be able to access limited information, such as the scammer’s name, birthday, and gender. To view other details, such as recent posts, a friend request must be sent.
These methods provide quick and easy ways to identify and verify scam phone numbers. By implementing these measures, individuals can avoid answering calls from fraudulent numbers and protect their personal safety.
Super-fast guide to checking for scam phone numbers and avoiding financial loss
The danger of losing money and leaking information from unknown phone calls has been warned about many times. But how can you accurately look up a scam phone number without missing important calls? The answer will be revealed in the following article.
