The Federal Communications Commission Helps Consumers Avoid Scam Calls
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: June 20, 2019
You know those robocalls from scammers that you keep getting on your phones? We get them at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), too.
Scammers use a technique known as spoofing to mask their caller ID on your phone and disguise their identities to steal valuable personal information, including your bank account passwords and Social Security number. In one recent case, the toll-free number of the FCC’s Consumer Center was used to disguise the actual incoming call number.
We’ve alerted the public to the problem and have taken measures to prevent this from happening again. We’re aware that the same thing happens with Social Security’s phone number. Some callers may pressure you for personal information or immediate payment; others offer deals that seem too good to be true. The number of calls is daunting, but we are taking action to turn the tide against spoofed robocalls.
The first line of defense is consumer awareness. The FCC provides guidance about spoofing scams and robocalls, including consumer resources for call-blocking apps and other services. We also post timely articles on the FCC Consumer Help Center website to alert you to the latest scams and amplify consumer warnings from Social Security and other government agencies. Consumers can keep track of these alerts by following @FCC on Twitter.
We recommend the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of a call scam:
- Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize.
- If the caller is not who you were expecting, hang up immediately.
- Never give out personal information such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, or other identifying information if a call seems suspicious.
In its continuing efforts to help stifle malicious phone scams, the FCC empowered phone companies to aggressively block by default unwanted and illegal robocalls before they reach consumers.
It’s all about safeguarding the American public. We’ll continue to partner with Social Security, the Federal Trade Commission, and other federal agencies to get the job done.
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About the Author
Patrick Webre, Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
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Linda B.
I had recieved a call from 1-919-809-7303, they proceeded to say they were from Social Security Administration, and let me know my social security number had been compromised and had been in a incident with a Toyota Corolla in a drug investigation and the DEA was looking into the matter and they wanted my birthdate, I told the guy if you were Social Security you would not be asking me these questions, I did not give any info. I really got very mad, we got disconnected and he called back, I told him to send DEA out I was not guilty of anything and not call again and I could hear a lot of noise going on and asked if this was a call center and he hung up on me call was on 6/20/19 at 2:52pm and again at 6/20/19 at 3:10 pm.
L.A.
Hi Linda. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Jo G.
If I’m near a phone when a call comes in, if it doesn’t say one of my family or friends, I pick up on the first ring, and hang up immediately. Some days I may get one or two, other days, it never stops. Once or twice for the fun of it, I called the number back, and get a recording saying it’s not a working number! Once I even got a call from my OWN number! I can’t believe with all the publicity that people still fall for the scams. Too Bad!
Alan U.
There must be a way for phone companies to stop spoofing or at least detect it. When a company or individual uses spoofing, either charge them or fine them heavily. Once the word gets out, most of the robocalls will stop. The “Do Not Call” list is now worthless. I have a cell phone that is charged per call and the robocalls are costing me money.
Tracy
I think the phone companies are selling information to the spammers. I believe they are selling just customer phone numbers the numbers that are called and received by the primary number. Most of my ssa and irs calls are from Tx and Arizona however all the other bs like school loans, warranties and back/leg braces start out calling from numbers far away & then change to numbers similar to ones I’ve been calling. If I am calling Greenville SC a lot I will start getting calls from that area with the same first 3 numbers or if my spouse is in Lugoff visiting family and calls from their landline I will get calls from the same area. I will get calls that are local same 3 first numbers from the town I am in and rec & get calls from like the landline digits or cell digits. But our lawmakers are not interested in doing anything but tweeting.
L.A.
Thank you for checking in with us, Tracy. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Sing A.
I received a spoof call from the number 15302149204 Truckee, CA on 06 /11/2019
L.A.
Hi Sing. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Chuck a.
The FCC is not doing enough to stop these calls. Here is an idea: get rid of the resources you say you are using on stopping robocalls and reduce your fat budget expenses. This is stupid.
Charles L.
Thank you. If you can stop robo calls using my local area code is sure appreciate it. I get 8-14 a day.
HPL
We put a man on the moon and we cant stop robo calls. Bring back tar and feather.
R. Z.
WHY IS IT THAT IN THIS BOOMING ELECTRONIC 21st CENTURY WHERE SPACE MISSIONS TO THE PLANET MARS ARE BEING PLANNED, THAT THESE GREAT MINDS WITH POWERFUL AND RAPID COMPUTERS CANNOT OUT THINK NEFARIOUS INDIVIDUALS INTENT ON EITHER “SPOOFING” TELEPHONE NUMBERS OR HARASSING INNOCENT PEOPLE WITH “ROBO CALLING” EQUIPMENT? IT IS INCREDIBLE.
UPON FURTHER REFLECTION THE MAJORITY OF “COMPUTER HACKS” ARE AGAINST THOSE ADMINISTERED BY “GOVERNMENTS” THUS ANSWERING THE ABOVE STATED QUESTION. THAT IS EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE.
THE “DO NOT CALL” REGISTRY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2003, SIXTEEN YEARS AGO. DOES IT APPEAR THAT THOSE NEFARIOUS CHARACTERS IMPLEMENTING “SPOOFING”, ETC. ARE MORE ATTUNED TO THE ADVANCING ELECTRONIC ERA THAN “GOVERNMENTS”? NO NEED FOR AN ANSWER; IT IS OBVIOUS.
Deb
why the capital letters? Are you screaming? Because these calls make me want to scream.
Mihai L.
Thank you for reiterating the danger of scammers, but, what are the authorities doing?
I keep reporting suspicious calls for years, but nobody does anything.
hame on you, guys, with the technology available today you just contemplate the damage and warn the future victims
Barbara G.
I got a phone call from my own number, and blocked it.