'Scam likely' calls. How they work and how you can block them

Have you ever received a call with the words "Scam Likely" flashing on your phone's screen? Unfortunately, this is becoming increasingly common as criminal groups are trying to trick people and steal their money over the phone. Phone scams have become a huge money-making business for criminals, as they take billions from victims around the world each year through lies and threats.

These scammers will do anything to get your money or personal information. Some may act friendly and offer deals that seem too good to be true, while others may threaten and scare you into paying up. Your phone number may have ended up in the wrong hands due to data breaches, companies selling your information, or being traded on shady online marketplaces.

While you may not always be able to prevent scammers from getting your number, you can learn to identify and block "Scam Likely" calls to avoid becoming a victim. This article will explain how these phone cons work and provide you with tips to protect yourself from having your money or identity stolen by callers trying to scam you.

The key is to recognize the tricks scammers use and know what to do when you receive one of those "Scam Likely" calls. Being aware of these tactics can prevent you from being ripped off over the phone.

Did you know?

In 2023, the number of people who signed up with the Do Not Call Registry exceeded 2.6 million, bringing the total to more than 249 million actively registered phone numbers.

The top three complaints about scam calls included robocalls, with 1.2 million complaints, followed by calls about medical and prescription issues, with 142,000 complaints and supposed debt reduction.

Complaints about energy, solar, utilities, warranties, and protection plans were also reported.

Source: ftc.gov.

What is a 'scam likely' call?

A "Scam Likely" call is an incoming call that your phone company suspects is spam or a scam attempt based on the calling number's behavior. The caller ID displays "Scam Likely" instead of the regular number.

Each phone company uses its own methods to identify scam calls, but they generally use computer programs to analyze call patterns and frequencies from different numbers. Calling from certain areas or making tons of quick calls in a row can tip them off that it's a scammer.

The companies also have different ways to show you the warning:

• For T-Mobile, scam calls just show "Scam Likely"
• AT&T may show "Suspected Scam," "Spam Risk," or details like "Telemarketer"
• Verizon displays "Potential Spam," "Robo Caller," or "Potential Fraud."

If you see any of those types of labels, be very cautious about answering. It probably is a scammer trying to trick you into giving personal info or money. Don't share anything and assume they are lying. Hang up and block future calls from that number.

Related: How to check if a phone number is a scam

Types of "Scam Likely" Calls

Several kinds of calls may appear on your phone labeled as "Scam Likely." Here are some of the most common ones to watch out for:

Government Impersonators. These scammers pretend to be calling from government agencies like the Social Security Administration or IRS. They'll claim you owe money or need to verify personal information. But real government agencies won't ever call demanding payment or asking for sensitive details over the phone.

Sales and annoying telemarketing calls. Your phone number may have been bought by telemarketers or found online, leading to unsolicited sales calls. While some may be legitimate companies, many are scammers using slick marketing pitches or hard-sell tactics to push overpriced or fake products/services.

Robocalls and Automated Voices. The rise of autodialers allows crooks to blast out thousands of pre-recorded robocall messages quickly. These may offer dodgy services, like extended car warranties, or try to get you to engage with various "specialists" for a bigger scam. Some robocalls are legal if they're for political campaigns, debt collection, healthcare reminders, or charities. But they can still be annoying disruptions.

How to Spot Potential Scam Calls

Even without a "Scam Likely" warning, look out for these signs of a spam call:

Unknown Numbers. If the number on your caller ID isn't one you recognize or have saved in your contacts, it could be a scammer calling.

"Unknown Caller" Message Calls that show up simply as "Unknown Caller" are often from sketchy sources, so it's best to avoid answering those.

Unexpected Area Codes. Be wary of calls from area codes in states or countries you don't typically receive calls from, as scammers may be spoofing those numbers.

Strange Greetings. If the person's greeting sounds odd or seems to be impersonating someone, that's a red flag that it might not be a legitimate caller.

Local Number Spoofing. Scammers frequently try to trick you into picking up by calling from numbers with your own area code. Don't answer local numbers you don't recognize.

How to Prevent Spam Calls

1.Sign up in the Do Not Call Registry. Adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry can cut down on many spam calls, though not all. You can visit donotcall.gov/register and provide your phone number and email address. Once you submit your information, you will receive a verification email.

After you verify your email, telemarketers are legally required to stop calling you within 31 days of your registration date. It's worth noting that your registration will never expire. However, keep in mind that political organizations, debt collectors, and charities are still allowed to contact you as per the law.

2.Try to remove your phone number from data brokers. Data broker sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, and People Finder may be selling your personal information to scammers. To protect yourself, visit these brokers' websites and follow their opt-out procedures.

If you need help discovering all the websites, services, and data brokers that have your information, consider getting Digital Identity Protection. It continuously monitors your data (financial details included), alerts you in case of breaches, and offers efficient tools to manage your data, anything from retrieving, securing to deletion.

3. Ignore Unknown Numbers. Feel free to ignore any calls from unknown numbers. And if you're ever on a call that makes you feel uncomfortable, hang up. It's not worth the potential of falling for a scam, especially since scammers frequently use tactics to make you act without thinking it through.

4. Block spam calls on your smartphone. iPhones and Android phones allow you to easily block any numbers you identify as spammers or scammers.

How to block scam numbers on your iPhone

1. Open your Phone app.
2. Go to your call log by tapping All to find the scam-likely call.
3. Tap "i," then scroll down and select Block this Caller.
4. On the pop-up menu, tap Block Contact.

How to block scam numbers on your Android phone

Steps differ depending on which device you have.

On a Samsung phone:

1. Open your Phone app.
2. Go to Recents and tap the number you want to block.
3. Select the Information icon and tap Block.

What to Do When You Get a Suspicious Call

• Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If it's important, they'll leave a voicemail. Be extra cautious of calls from your local area code, as scammers often spoof those numbers.
• Never provide any personal or financial information over the phone. Legitimate companies already have access to your account details.
• If the caller uses high-pressure tactics or demands immediate payment, hang up. This is a common scam tactic.
• Only contact companies by using the official website or phone numbers listed on your bills/statements. Do not trust phone numbers provided by unsolicited callers.
• Warn friends and family if you've been targeted, as scammers may try to use your number to phish for information from your contacts.
• Set a password or PIN for your voicemail to prevent voice spoofing scams from gaining access.
• Report any suspected scam calls to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. This helps them take action.
• Use Scamio to detect scams and scammers. You can describe a situation to Scamio, and this AI-powered scam detector will analyze it to let you know if you are at risk. You can use Scamio to analyze texts, QR codes, links, and images.

Scamio is free and available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and your web browser.

Related: SMS Scams Run Rampant yet Consumers Still Rely on Phones for Sensitive Transactions