Regarding AT&T Phone Scams

Regarding AT&T Phone Scams

Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to take advantage of people. Con artists and robocallers use technology to modify what phone numbers appear on caller ID, impersonating phone numbers from cell phone providers, neighbors, friends and local businesses to try to get you to answer the call. In many instances, it is a random number with the same area code and first three digits as your own phone number. In other cases, the number displays as coming from a cell phone provider, local business or person in which you’ve previously communicated.

Some of you have already received a call from an unknown or known robocaller stating that your ATT account has been suspended and in order to have it unsuspended, you need to dial 1 and follow the prompt. Fraudsters are using a computer program to spoof ATT numbers, so they can get your account info to login and order services or phones. They are using a computer to make hundreds of calls per minute hoping to snag someone into believing the call is from ATT.

Answering one of these caller ID spoofed calls will indicate to the robocaller that you have an active phone line. Active phone lines are valuable to phone scammers and will often put you on what is referred to as a “sucker list,” potentially opening your phone line up to more scam calls.

We want to help you stay safe. There are many things you can do to help protect yourself from fraud and keep your accounts and devices safe. A good place to start is with some security tips listed below:

1. Always think, "This could happen to me." Thinking this way will make you less likely to fall for attacks. You will help protect your information, keep security measures in place and discover issues faster by keeping an eye on your accounts.
2. Avoid answering calls from phone numbers you don’t recognize, even if they appear to be local. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message.
3. Be aware that phone numbers of cell phone providers, local businesses, including doctor’s offices and/or insurance agents, may appear to be calling you. If you’re not certain whether the call is legitimate or a spoof, hang up and dial the known phone number for the contact to verify the communication, especially if personal and/or financial information is being requested.
4. There are call blocking apps that may help decrease the amount of spam calls, including those using a spoof caller ID. Your phone carrier may also provide a similar service or offer advice.
5. Make sure your phone number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. Though it is unlikely to prevent most phone scam calls, it will help to reduce calls received from legitimate telemarketers, which can be helpful in screening fraudulent calls. Here is the direct link to their website, https://www.donotcall.gov/.