Scam callers affect almost everyone who has access to technology, especially in Northeast Texas. A 2021 report published by T-Mobile identified that Dallas-Fort Worth experiences the highest number of scam calls among large cities, with Texas being the most targeted state.

Unfortunately, spotting scams and avoiding them is not always simple. Scam callers have tricks up their sleeves to fool their audience. For example, callers pretend to be from reputable organizations, like Social Security or the IRS. With today's technology, scammers can alter their caller ID number to match that of these organizations and can even pretend to have the same area code as you do.

Scammers also manipulate consumers' emotions to get them to act fast. If it feels like a caller is jumping to conclusions that you have a computer virus, a family member is in trouble, your account was hacked, etc., take a step back. When scammers apply this immediate pressure, they want you to believe them before you can think critically.

If a caller is asking you to pay for something, it can also be a scam. Be cautious about depositing money to a suspicious caller or giving away information about yourself.

"Government agencies will never call, email, text, or message you on social media to ask for money or personal information. Only a scammer will do that," says the Federal Trade Commission.

Some of the most common financial scams relate to free travel or cruises, debt reduction, and donating to fake charities.

But what about the automatic calls? Automated calls are also known as robocalls.

"If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it's a robocall. A robocall trying to sell you something is illegal unless the company trying to sell you something got written permission, directly from you, to call you that way," says the FTC.

Robocalls can be easy to spot as scams if you remember that them calling you without permission is already an illegal action. For robocalls, avoid pressing numbers on your phone or calling back.

To protect against scam calls, there are many solutions. Plenty of apps on both Apple and Android devices can help screen for suspicious calls. Some may be free, while others cost money. If downloading a specific app feels daunting, check the settings on your mobile phone to see if you can screen calls that way. Block callers and report scams to prevent them from resurfacing.

Lastly, an easy way to avoid scammers is to join the FTC's National Do Not Call Registry, which is free.

"It won't stop scam calls but will make them easier to spot because most legitimate telemarketers won't call you if you're on the registry or if they don't have an existing relationship with you," says the AARP.

You can also report scam callers through the FTC.

If you fall for a phone scam, be sure to take action. "Call your bank. If your money has been stolen, first report it to your bank. If your money was stolen through the purchase of gift cards, report the theft to the company that issued the gift cards. Also report it to local law enforcement. Even if the police say they cannot take action, file a report, and keep a copy so you have proof of the event," says the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

If you ever feel wary about the person behind a call, it's always a good bet to be cautious. Protect yourself from common scams. If you ever feel unprepared to decide what calls are safe or not, remember to stay educated!

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