Kentucky phone scams are fraudulent schemes that are executed using any phone service with the intent of stealing money or personal information from residents of Kentucky. Scammers may use a text message, a live call, or a pre-recorded script to extort innocent citizens. These individuals often hide their real identities from their victims, but a reverse phone lookup search can unmask a scam caller’s true identity.
The Kentucky Attorney General's office (KAG) is in charge of all the cases relating to phone scams in the state, including the enforcement of telemarketing laws in Kentucky. KAG informs Kentuckians via text message or email of ongoing scam threats through the office's Scam Alerts program. Those who believe phone scams have targeted them can file complaints with the KAG. Common phones scams in Kentucky include:
- Medicare scams: Here, scammers pretend to work for the Centre of Medicare and Medicaid employees. They call their targets requesting personal and financial information or payment to replace or activate their new card. In May 2018, Kentucky's government mailed out more than 900,000 Medicare cards, and there has been an increase in the case of Medicare scams in the State. Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit work to investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud.
- Fake warrant scam: This happens when scammers call the target's phone claiming to be a member of the police or court system. They claim that the target has a warrant due to a court duty. A threat of arrest or conviction follows this.
- Gold scams: This is where fraudsters attract targets using a bogus sales script about the gold market. They claim that precious metals can double and triple in just 30-days, and they make it look less risky than most businesses. This often ends with the target sending some money for purchase to the scammer.
- Dating scams: In this scam, the scammers lure their targets into a relationship with the intent of getting money or personal information from them. A common trick is to inform the victim that they have an urgent financial settlement to make.
- Lottery/sweepstakes scam: This is where a caller informs an innocent person that they won a prize and should make some payments to claim the prize. They usually promise a prize that is more valuable than the amount the target is asked to pay.
- Credit loan scams: This occurs when scammers call individuals with a questionable credit history to guarantee their loans. Individuals easily fall for this fraud since no legitimate business will offer them a loan looking at their records. Scammers demand some upfront payment to make the loan available, and it is always another means to steal from the victim.
- Missed call scam: Here, a fraudster calls but hangs up after one ring so that a missed call appears on the receiver's display. The scammer expects their target to call back so they can be charged at a premium rate. The longer the scammer keeps the target engaged, the more the charges on the call.
What are Kentucky IRS Scams?
Kentucky Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or government scams occur when a scammer calls claiming to be an IRS agent and deceives the targets into believing they owe unpaid taxes. A threat of an impending audit usually follows this. IRS scams can come in different forms. A common example is when a caller claiming to be a local law enforcement agency informs the target about the penalty for owing the IRS. Kentuckians should not respond to such messages. The IRS is aware of tax scams and advises residents to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its employees. Reverse phone lookups can retrieve the true identities of such callers.
Kentucky Tech Support Scams
Kentucky tech support scam occurs when a fraudster impersonates a reputable tech company like Microsoft to defraud unsuspecting persons within the state. Scammers usually begin their plot by sending a notification to the target informing them about some virus on their system. They then offer to help the target restore the computer and may sometimes not charge a fee, depending on the con artist’s original intent.
If the intention is to steal personal information from the target, they often offer to fix the computer for free. Scammers may also ask you to pay a fee to fix the computer. Residents can verify the number of tech support companies with the help of a reverse phone number application. Alternatively, they can contact a reverse phone number service provider.
Kentucky Voice Phishing Scams
Scammers are usually after money or their target’s personal information. Kentucky Voice Phishing scam uses a phone call or robocalls to lure a target into revealing personal and financial information. Information like social security numbers, passwords, and bank account details are usually what these scammers need from their targets.
Voice phishing scams involve scammers using caller ID spoofing to display trusted phone numbers on their victims' phones. They make their victims believe it is a legitimate company to gain trust. The KAG advises Kentuckians to never give their personal information over the phone, especially during unsolicited calls.
What are Kentucky Emergency Scams?
Kentucky Emergency Scams are phone scams that mostly target elderly residents in the state. It occurs when a scammer poses as a distant family member, and since the targets are old men or women who may not have the time to verify the caller, they are usually successful.
Scammers often claim that they are in a difficult situation to trick their targets into sending them some money. KAG advises individuals to neglect any request from a supposed family member, except other family members verify them. Contact the local law enforcement agency immediately if you receive a suspicious call or message from anyone that acts like a scammer. Alternatively, run a reverse phone number search.
How Do I Avoid Becoming a Victim of a Phone Scam?
- Never be pressured into making a quick decision over the phone. Hang up once the caller tries to coerce you into releasing personal information.
- When you receive a telephone solicitation, request as much information as you can from the caller, then ask the solicitor if they are registered with the Attorney General's Office. Verify this information by calling the Attorney General's Office on (502) 696-5300.
- If you have been a fraud victim in the past, beware of callers promising you that they can recover all you lost. They are usually other scam artists.
- Fake charities will call for contributions. Before donating, research the charity with the Attorney General's Office.
- Never give up a credit card number or a bank account number to an unidentified caller, whether or not you initiated the call.
- Find out whether there are any complaints about the company in the past. Contact the Kentucky Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, because no complaints are on file does not mean the company is legitimate. Do not forget that these companies often operate with different business names.
- Never purchase anything to receive a free prize via the telephone. This is always a tactic scammers use to get people to buy things they do not need.
- Register phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. Kentucky's No Call Law also allows Kentuckians to limit the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls.
- Terminate robocalls immediately after realizing what they are. Do not continue as that increases your chances of getting scammed.
- Keep personal information secure, including passwords and PINs. Legitimate organizations, such as banks and government agencies, will never ask you to disclose sensitive personal information over the phone.
- Never use free unprotected Wi-Fi in public places. Scammers can easily access personal information on shared public networks.
- Never open links in emails, text, or pop-ups without verifying the link in the first place.
- Be wary of callers with numbers bearing international area codes and unknown local area codes.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at the suspicion of fraud or identity theft.
- Follow trends on scams and fraud in the country. You may contact organizations like the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).