A voicemail callback scam is a type of financial fraud that involves tricking individuals into calling back a phone number that they may have missed a call from, with the intention of stealing personal information or money from the victim. These scams often rely on a sense of urgency or fear, such as claiming that the victim has an outstanding debt or legal matter that needs to be resolved, in order to persuade the victim to call back the number.
Voicemail callback scams can be financially devastating for victims and can be difficult to resolve, as the scammers may use fake names and addresses to cover their tracks.
Examples of Voicemail Scams
Outstanding Debt Voicemail Callback Scam
One common example of a voicemail callback scam is the “outstanding debt” scam, where the victim receives a voicemail from a supposed creditor or collection agency claiming that they have an outstanding debt that needs to be paid immediately.
The voicemail may include a phone number for the victim to call back in order to resolve the matter, but when the victim calls the number, they are confronted with a scammer who may attempt to obtain personal information or request payment for the supposed debt.
IRS Voicemail Callback Scam
Another example of a voicemail callback scam is the “IRS” scam, where the victim receives a voicemail from someone claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and stating that the victim has an outstanding tax issue that needs to be resolved.
The voicemail may provide a phone number for the victim to contact to resolve the matter, however, when the victim calls the number, they may be scammed by someone who attempts to gain personal information or demand payment for a fake tax problem.
Red Flags Signs of Voicemail Callback Scam
There are several telltale signs that individuals should be aware of when it comes to voicemail callback scams.
One red flag is if the voicemail includes a sense of urgency or fear, such as claiming that the victim has an outstanding debt or legal matter that needs to be resolved immediately. It’s important to be cautious of any voicemails that create a sense of urgency or fear, and to verify the legitimacy of any requests for personal information or payment before providing such information or making a payment.
Fake phone number to call back
Another warning sign is if the voicemail includes a phone number for the victim to call back, but the number does not match the phone number of a legitimate organization or company. This may be an indication that the voicemail is a scam and that the scammers are attempting to cover their tracks.
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How to protect yourself from voicemail callback scam
In order to protect themselves from voicemail callback scams, individuals should take the following precautions:
- Be cautious of any voicemails that create a sense of urgency or fear, and verify the legitimacy of any requests for personal information or payment before providing such information or making a payment.
- Do not provide personal information, such as a social security number or bank account information, to unknown individuals or organizations.
- If you receive a voicemail from an organization or company that you do not recognize, do not call the number provided in the voicemail. Instead, look up the phone number for the organization or company online or through a directory and call that number to verify the legitimacy of the request.
- If you suspect that you have received a voicemail callback scam, report the scam to the authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Another way to protect yourself from voicemail callback scams is to use call-blocking or screening features on your phone. These features may allow you to block calls from unknown or suspicious numbers, or to screen incoming calls to verify the caller’s identity before answering.
Voicemail Callback Scam Tactics
It’s also a good idea to be aware of the tactics that scammers may use in voicemail callback scams, such as pretending to be from a government agency or using fake caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate organization or company.
If you have fallen victim to a voicemail callback scam, it may be difficult to recover your losses, but there are steps you can take to try to resolve the matter. Consider the following steps:
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute any unauthorized charges or to report any fraud.
- Change any passwords or login information that may have been compromised.
- Report the scam to the authorities, including the FTC and the IC3.
To protect oneself from financially devastating voicemail callback scams, it is crucial to be aware of the telltale signs and take appropriate precautions.
For example, individuals should be wary of voicemails that create a sense of urgency or fear, and should verify the legitimacy of any requests for personal information or payment. Additionally, using call blocking or screening features and being knowledgeable about scammer tactics can also help to safeguard against these types of scams.
Voicemail Scam Blacklist
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FAQ
Voicemail callback scams are a type of financial fraud that involves tricking individuals into calling back a phone number that they may have missed a call from, with the intention of stealing personal information or money from the victim. These scams often rely on a sense of urgency or fear, such as claiming that the victim has an outstanding debt or legal matter that needs to be resolved, in order to persuade the victim to call back the number.
Voicemail callback scams may involve leaving a voicemail for the victim claiming that they have an outstanding debt or legal matter that needs to be resolved immediately. The voicemail may include a phone number for the victim to call back in order to resolve the matter, but when the victim calls the number, they are confronted with a scammer who may attempt to obtain personal information or request payment for the supposed debt or legal matter.
Some common examples of voicemail callback scams include:
- Outstanding debt scams: These scams involve a voicemail claiming that the victim has an outstanding debt that needs to be paid immediately, and requesting that the victim call back a provided phone number to resolve the matter.
- IRS scams: These scams involve a voicemail claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and stating that the victim has an outstanding tax issue that needs to be resolved. The voicemail may include a phone number for the victim to call back in order to resolve the matter.
To prevent future voicemail callback scams, consider the following measures:
- Use call blocking or screening features on your phone to block calls from unknown or suspicious numbers, or to screen incoming calls to verify the caller’s identity before answering.
- Be aware of the tactics that scammers may use in voicemail callback scams, such as pretending to be from a government agency or using fake caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate organization or company.
- Educate others about voicemail callback scams, including friends and family members, so that they are aware of the warning signs and can protect themselves from these types of scams.
If you have fallen victim to a voicemail callback scam, it may be difficult to recover your losses, but there are steps you can take to try to resolve the matter. Consider the following steps:
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute any unauthorized charges or to report any fraud.
- Change any passwords or login information that may have been compromised.
- Report the scam to the authorities, including the FTC and the IC3.
To protect yourself from voicemail callback scams, consider taking the following precautions:
- Be cautious of any voicemails that create a sense of urgency or fear, and verify the legitimacy of any requests for personal information or payment before providing such information or making a payment.
- Do not provide personal information, such as a social security number or bank account information, to unknown individuals or organizations.
- If you receive a voicemail from an organization or company that you do not recognize, do not call the number provided in the voicemail. Instead, look up the phone number for the organization or company online or through a directory and call that number to verify the legitimacy of the request.
- If you suspect that you have received a voicemail callback scam, report the scam to the authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
There are several warning signs that individuals should be aware of when it comes to voicemail callback scams. Some red flags to watch out for include:
- Voicemails that create a sense of urgency or fear, such as claiming that the victim has an outstanding debt or legal matter that needs to be resolved immediately.
- Phone numbers provided in voicemails that do not match the phone number of a legitimate organization or company.
- Requests for personal information, such as a social security number or bank account information, from unknown individuals or organizations.
Attention: Consumers who have been contacted by scammers could have had their personal information breached. TotalScam!™ highly recommends that consumers whose information has been breached obtain an identity theft protection service immediately.
There are several companies that offer identity theft protection in the US. One of the most inexpensive options we were able to find is the protection offered by LifeLock. You can start your protection here.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions contained on this site are not endorsed by LifeLock. TotalScam!™ receives compensation from LifeLock. This helps support our scam prevention efforts.
Our investigations into Common Scams of 2023
