My son played a practical joke on me a few years back, having a local pizza place we frequented call me re: a LARGE pizza delivery I had apparently ordered that had gone sideways. The number was definitely from the place we had called dozens of times before… but the call was a fake.
He learned how to use an online robo dial service to spoof the call from the local restaurant. The restaurant didn’t even know their number was being used.
Thankfully, I caught on quickly that it was a practical joke, but what floored me was how easily my son was able to find out how to spoof the phone number and even use an automated voice recording once I picked up.
My son’s a smart kid, and he was definitely lectured about NEVER using these types of services again, but the scammers and spammers are much smarter and far more sophisticated.
I tell this story as the number of people we talk to who have had their devices hacked in some form or another grows weekly.
The number of spam calls, texts and emails people are receiving is also climbing.
Even those who pick up new phone numbers are shocked that they are receiving spam calls and text messages, thinking thier account has been compromised, not realizing spammers are relentless and auto dialing every number available regardless of “do not spam” lists or knowledge of a phone number even being active.
They don’t know and they don’t care. They just want someone to take the bait.
Blocking a number is also no longer a good way to prevent this, as noted above, spammers and scammers can spoof the number they are calling from. They may be in Los Angeles, CA but the number it looks like they are calling from is a local number. It may in fact even be from someone you know.
To help drive home this point, below is a list of just SOME of the ways people are trying to scam you:
Phone Call Scams:
- IRS/tax agency impersonation calls
- Social Security Administration scams
- Medicare/health insurance fraud calls
- Tech support scams (fake Microsoft, Apple, etc.)
- Extended car warranty robocalls
- Charity donation scams
- Grandparent/family emergency scams
- Romance/catfishing scams
- Debt collection scams
- Prize/lottery winner notifications
- Political donation scams
- Utility company disconnection threats
- Bank/credit card fraud alerts
- Student loan forgiveness offers
- Home security system sales
- Solar panel installation pitches
- Vacation/timeshare promotions
- Health insurance enrollment scams
- Prescription drug offers
- Business loan/grant opportunities
Text Message Scams:
- Package delivery notifications (fake FedEx, UPS, Amazon)
- Bank account alerts and verification requests
- Apple/iCloud account suspension warnings
- PayPal/Venmo payment confirmations
- Netflix/streaming service billing issues
- Two-factor authentication bypass attempts
- Refund/cashback notifications
- Free gift card offers
- Covid-related benefit scams
- Political survey/donation texts
- Fake job opportunity texts
- Cryptocurrency investment schemes
- Dating app verification scams
- Pharmacy prescription renewals
- Insurance quote requests
- Home buying/selling leads
- Loan pre-approval notifications
- Prize wheel/contest entries
- Fake news subscription offers
- Smishing (SMS phishing) for login credentials
The common thread across all these is urgency, fear tactics, or offers that seem too good to be true, designed to bypass critical thinking and prompt immediate action.
So, what’s the solution? What can we do about it?
DISCERNMENT is the ability to perceive, understand, and judge things clearly, especially those that are not obvious or straightforward.
Some people have a 6th sense and can pick up when something just doesn’t sound or feel right. Many of us need to learn this through trial and error. Over time we pick up on subtle clues that indicate if something just isn’t what it seems.
The reality is that technology alone won’t save us from these threats. No app, filter, or blocking service can keep up with the constantly evolving tactics scammers use.
The most effective defense is developing your personal “scam radar” – that internal warning system that kicks in when something feels off.
This means slowing down when urgency is being pushed on you.
Legitimate organizations don’t threaten immediate consequences for not acting within minutes.
Verifying independently. If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the number on your actual bank card.
If a text says there’s a package delivery issue, check the tracking directly through the carrier’s official app or website.
If a crypto platform sends a text or email that your account has been hacked or accessed from an unknown location, DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS INSIDE THE TEXT OR EMAIL. Go direct to your account and see if you have any notifications.
Trust your gut. If something feels too good to be true or creates a sense of panic, step back. Scammers count on emotional responses overriding logical thinking.
The goal isn’t to become paranoid about every communication you receive. It’s about building healthy skepticism and verification habits that become second nature.
Remember: In our hyper-connected world, the person who pauses to think before they act has already won half the battle against digital predators.
Your digital sovereignty depends on it.
Stay strong. Stay vigilant. Stay free.