Telecom scams and fraud remains a problem of several billion dollars to the US consumer and business organisations. As the telecommunications industry changes, so do the methods of scammers. The best line of Defense is to be aware of current scams and fraud types of telecommunications that are popular and often easily performed by scam artists.
Below is a list of the top 10 telecom scams and fraud alerts that you should know about. intended for businesses and consumers, these tactics have cost victims of 10 million in damages last year alone.
# 1-"do not Call List" scam
The list of "do-not-call" national was put in place to protect consumers and businesses to be bombarded with telemarketing pitches.Some clever scam artists are now using the list as a personal tool to steal identities. how it works? victims receive a call from someone claiming to represent the list of "do-not-call" federal or State. The caller then asks for personal information (to verify the identity of course), such as social security numbers or bank account information as a requirement to be enrolled in the registry.
## Forward 2-72 calling scam,
This scam usually originates inside a prison or ease the victim will receive correctional. a collect call with the news that they have won a sweepstakes or prize.To claim the prize are only prompted a series of numbers on your touch-tone phone.This activates the feature (# 72), essentially allowing the caller to call forwarding free access to the victim's phone line. all calls-including long distance calls and calls the collect-then are charged to unsuspecting "sweepstakes winner".
# 3-Scam DDD 809 or 832
This is a common trick of telecommunications and was captured many unsuspecting consumers and businesses off guard.Phone calls, voice messages and numeric pagers and even emails are the means to reach the victims. Recipients of these calls, voicemails, emails and pages especially numeric are invited to call a telephone number that begins with the 809 area code (or 823).
With the proliferation of new area codes during the last 10 to 15 years (and now free calling plans long distances) most guys don't give it a second thought to return the call.
These area codes are indeed legitimate, but originate Caribbean Islands; the problem is that they work as numbers of "pay-per-call", similar to 900 numbers in the u.s. the number 809 can be set to be charged at $ 10, $ 100 or $ 1000 or more per minute.Victims may not even realize that they have been duped by obtaining your next phone bill. then they are in for a shock!
Scam hijacking # 4-PBX
For enterprises, this scam is very similar to scam # 72 detailed above.A company will receive a call from someone with a line like "Hello, I have worked with Joe Smith in the Department of telecommunications and we need you to dial 9-0 to test a new feature on our telephone system."This gives them access to telephone lines especially for international calls. thousands of dollars can be accumulated in a matter of days-all courtesy of the Corporation being cheated.
# 5-"Cramming" and "Slamming" scams
"Cramming" and "hit" comprise the most lucrative scams, telecommunications and widespread in existence today. Indeed, representatives of undertakings established as MCI and ATT are known to be users of these tactics.
Beating occurs when the telephone service (usually long distance) was changed without the consent of the client is usually the result of deceptive sales practices by telemarketers. Beating can also occur as a result of a signature sweepstakes or prize drawing, or even as a cheque sent to the client through the mail. After cashing the cheque the client then is switched to the new service.
"Cramming" occurs when additional phone service (or Internet) items or features are included in account client without being prompted. third parties and own carriers are notorious for including these "additional charges".
Cramming Charges generally fall into three categories: occasional entertainment services, recurring monthly membership fees or telecom features such as voice mail, paging, Internet billing, inside wire maintenance, etc.
Local Exchange Carriers are legally obliged to bill for third-party vendors to that cramming rates may be applied, simply sending charges for local phone company on your behalf. an audit of its complete telecommunications enterprise accounts can reveal many cramming and slamming occurrences. Since these accusations routinely return back on the accounts, once they are removed, it is advisable to perform a complete telecommunications audit at least twice a year and monthly if possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment