It’s undeniable that mobile phones have made everything effortlessly easy. Its advanced technology and availability have made a big leap in the way we communicate and the ease with which we can get and stay in touch. But, like any other technology, mobile phones provide a lucrative avenue for snoopers, con artists, and scammers to make our lives a living hell.
They quickly use mobile technology to swindle us our hard-earned cash, steal our identity or even track our movements and eavesdrop on our conversations. So, if you don’t want to fall prey to this scammers, you better arm yourself with the right info. Herein, I will detail on some of the most elaborate mobile phone scams, along with a few tips on how to avoid them.
Lost or Stolen Phones
This isn’t a scam per se, but cell phones do get stolen or lost. With over 3 million phones lost or stolen in the US each year, there’s bound to be some sort of scams associated with them. In the wrong hands, your phone can be used to make unauthorized calls or send questionable texts, canvassing for money or harassing your friends and relatives.
Even worse, they can mine for personal and contact information stored in your device – a prelude for a regrettable identity theft. How to avoid this? Always take good care of your phone. If you must have sensitive information on your phone, put a password pump.
Cloning
It might sound far-fetched, but ripraps can use a scanner to read sensitive information on your cell phone – from the number to its individual serial number. With a high-tech program, they can easily clone another phone. The clone and your phone will have an uncannily similar profile.
Though great milestones have been achieved towards stopping cloning, you have to be vigilant. Keep an eagle eye on your phone bill.
Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping has become rampant thanks to a raft of perfectly legal snooping software. Scammers can easily listen to your conversations or download phone usage tabs. With such information, knowing your location and business is a snap.
Don’t let your phone out of sight. Using a plausible password is commendable. If you use Bluetooth device to answer your calls, always uncheck “discoverable” option on your device.
Ringtone Scams
Ringtones from questionable sources expose you to a plethora of costly mobile phone scams. Some of these ringtones – especially the one that come free or shared via peer-to-peer apps – are heavily ladened with malware or virus, designed to harm your device or steal your information.
Another ringtone scam come in the form of catchy text with a call back number. Don’t call them back or subscribe to any service. You will be startled with hefty charges. Get your ringtones from tested and reputable providers.
