As Robocalls Reach Record Highs, Protect Yourself from Scams
As Robocalls Reach Record Highs, Protect Yourself from Scams

Robocalls have surged in the past year, reaching an all-time high this May at 4 billion calls placed. That is a 40% increase since January of this year. What’s worse, over a quarter of those 4 billion calls were scams. Fraud from unwanted calls costs consumers roughly $9.5 billion annually, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Robocalls are cheap and easy for scammers to make, and they are unfortunately difficult to regulate. This has led to a flooding of robocalls, and has left consumers with few options to block them. The most important thing for consumers to do is to watch out for robocalling scams, and to never give away personal information to scammers.

Watch Out for These Common Robocall Scams

  • Interest rate scam: This scam has placed the most robocalls, according to the YouMail Robocall Index. The robocaller offers zero-percent interest rates to consumers in exchange for personal financial details. Consumers are often asked to pay an up-front fee for the low rate, or to provide their credit card number first to “verify” it.
  • Neighborhood spoofing: Scammers are able to manipulate caller ID information to make it appear that a call is coming from a local area code, increasing the likelihood that the consumer will pick up the call.
  • Fake IRS call: These scammers pretend to be calling from the IRS to demand that consumers pay nonexistent tax bills. Consumers should note that the IRS does not call consumers and threaten them with payment demands. If you really owe money to the IRS, you will receive a bill in the mail.
  • Phony investment “guarantee”: Scammers are posing as securities regulators offering money-making guarantees to consumers. They ask for personal information and investment money
  • Fake utility bill collector: The scammer poses as the local utility bill company and attempts to collect an overdue payment from the consumer.
  • Student loan scam: Robocallers claim to offer student loan forgiveness or debt relief, and often request an up-front fee from the consumer.

“If you receive a call from a robocaller, never give them any personal information. Do not engage them at all. Hang up immediately,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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