Digital scams and other fraudulent activities have been increasingly evolving through the years. The Google Voice scam earns notoriety for scamming thousands of people every year.
Unsuspecting individuals like the elderly are often targeted by scammers due to their knowledge gap in terms of recent technology. Google Voice is also a popular service that uses free phone numbers for calling and text messaging to confirm authorization for an account.
With the alarming increase of digital scams and hacking, here are some ways that could prepare you if you encounter the Google Voice scam:
How Google Voice Scam Works
Google Voice scam is initiated by scammers by contacting unsuspecting individuals through online marketplaces or classified ads. The criminals would pretend to be interested in something that you are selling or offering based on your recent posts.
Scammers would then cast doubt on your legitimacy as a seller or owner and would give instructions on how they would confirm your identity.
A Google Voice verification code will be sent to you with a code. Once you give them the code, scammers will start creating a Google Voice number linked to your number. This will allow them to make calls and send texts using your number.
How to Spot a Google Voice Scam
If you cannot avoid posting your information online for certain circumstances, you must be wary of anyone who will ask for a verification code. Be suspicious of their procedure, especially if you did not initiate the transaction.
Moreover, receiving unexpected texts and calls with verification codes from Google is a sign of a red flag. Do not give codes that were initiated by other people, except by you.
It is also important to never succumb to the pressure from scammers. They often use the technique of creating a sense of urgency so that you will provide the information quickly.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advised that if anyone encounters someone asking for Google Voice verification must report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How to Protect Yourself Against Scam
The first step is to never your verification codes with anyone, especially if you did not request one. It is important to always stay informed about the common techniques used in scams and share your knowledge with others to protect them as well.
Make it a habit to use strong and unique passwords for every account that you have. You should also enable the two-factor authentication feature of your app, especially on Google where it is easily available.
How to Reclaim Ownership of Your Number
In case you've been scammed using Google Voice, some steps must be followed to reclaim your phone number and prevent scammers from using it for fraudulent activities.
Google advised that victims should visit the Google Voice website and check the settings. In there, you will the "Linked Numbers" and click the "New Linked number." Enter your phone number and verify it once again.
If a prompt shows that it is linked to another account, you can claim it again and bring it back to your account.
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