How To Identify A Scammer On The Phone

Americans lost nearly $30 billion in total to phone scams in 2021, which is the highest number lost in years. A lot of this is due to scammers utilizing the COVID-19 pandemic to their advantage, offering fraudulent financial relief during a time when many individuals needed it most.

Don’t become a part of this statistic. Phone scammers can be tricky.  But there are ways that you can identify scammers on the other end of unknown numbers. 

Here are telltale signs, as well as what you should do if you’re confronted with one.

Common Phone Scams

One of the best ways to identify a phone scam is by becoming well-versed in the different types of scams that fraudulent individuals tend to deploy. 

Impersonation Scams

Many spam calls will act as though they are members of a government institution or major corporation in order to make it appear as though they have credibility. Often, they’ll pretend to be from the IRS, a credit card company, or major tech companies such as Microsoft.

Typically, these types of scams will ask you to provide personal information, like your social security number, in order to verify your identity. For tech-related ones, scammers may try to get you to go to a website and install malware that gives them access to your private data.

Believe it or not, some scammers will try to impersonate family members as well. These are typically targeted at elderly individuals, impersonating their grandchildren. 

For example, a scammer might pretend to be someone’s relative who was recently put under arrest, saying that bail must be posted immediately and asking for a wire transfer. These calls can also pretend to be the police and say that you are under threat of arrest. 

Of course, no one is actually in jail, and it’s just a scheme to try to gain access to a large sum of money.

Debt Reduction, Cash Prizes, or Other Services

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Often, phone scammers will call you and offer services like debt reduction, prizes from foreign lotteries, gift cards, a vacation, or other cash amounts for seemingly no reason as long as you just provide them with bank account numbers, credit card numbers, pin numbers, or upfront fee payments. 

Lottery scams and other false calls from contests and sweepstakes are common identity theft practices.

Charity Scams

Charitable organizations can make telemarketing calls to gather donations, but scammers can use your generosity to their advantage. 

It’s common for them to pretend to be a worker at a charity and seek donations, even though the intent is only to pocket the money themselves.

Robocalls

More often than not, if you receive a call from an automated message that’s been pre-recorded, it’s probably a type of spam call known as a robocall. 

These are a type of blast call that is sent out to millions of phone numbers at one time. In most cases, these come with the intent of selling you some sort of product or service.

Password Requests

Another common scam occurs when individuals claim to be workers at a company like Google or Facebook, and they request your login information. This can also be a type of tech support scam. These sorts of companies would never call you out of the blue and ask for verification of a passcode, so you’d know these are fraudulent right away.

Spotting the Scams

Additionally, there are common phone scams among phone scammers that alert you that the call is illegitimate.

A telltale sign is that scam callers will often pressure you to make quick decisions. They are not likely to let you think through their pitch, and they may even use threats against you. No credible agency would ever do this. There is rarely a real circumstance so time-sensitive that you’re forced to decide right away.

Additionally, scam callers will often be reluctant to answer any questions about their alleged business. If you’re unsure of the validity of a call, you can always ask for more specific information. 

Typically, scam callers won’t give you clear input, or they may request information from you before they open up. A credible agency would be happy to prove their identity and answer any questions you have about privacy.

Finally, it's likely a scam if the caller requests personal information, like your social security number or bank information. Government agencies or healthcare providers will not call you and ask for this information unless you’ve had previous correspondence with them in some kind of capacity.

Note that while caller ID can give you valuable information about the origins of a call, it cannot always be trusted. Call spoofing allows scammers to alter their outgoing phone number, so you don’t know who it is until you answer.

What To Do When You Get a Scam Call

Scam calls can be dangerous for your privacy, but there are some tools you can use to stop them in their tracks. 

For one, hang up the phone immediately once you suspect that a call is a scam. This just prevents you from accidentally giving out any information. 

Also, talking or engaging with the call proves to robocallers that your phone number is attached to a real person, so they may continue to contact you.

After you receive a scam phone call, you then report it to the Federal Trade Commission. This alerts the FTC to look into the source of the call and try to use their legal powers to eliminate phone calls from that specific source. 

You can also report internet and other fraud-related activities on their site outside of just phone calls.

To prevent the caller from giving you a callback, you can block them on your phone directly:

• On iPhone: Go to the Phone app and click “recents.” Then, click the blue information button next to the number you want to block. Finally, tap “Block this Caller.”

• On Android: Go to the Phone app and tap “recents.” Long press on the number you wish to block, then hit “Block.”

You can also protect your privacy by making sure that scammers never get access to your personal phone number. Burner gives you a second burner number that acts as a buffer between you and unsolicited calls. 

When an outsider gives you a ring, they’ll only see your burner number rather than your personal number, so you can stay anonymous.

On top of that, people won’t be able to see your personal number if you make an outgoing call to them. They’ll just see the burner number, which you’re able to swap out for a new one whenever you want.

In Conclusion

Scam phone calls are on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they aren’t showing signs of slowing down. You can protect yourself by recognizing common phone scams such as impersonation, debt collection, illegal robocalls, and password request scams.

Additionally, common features of a phishing scam include aspects like time sensitivity, reluctance to answer questions, and requests for highly personal information. These are all features that a phone call from a credible agency would not include.

You can protect yourself from scams by hanging up the phone, reporting fraud to the FTC, adding yourself to the National Do Not Call Registry, blocking the caller directly on your device, and using an application to protect your personal phone number from incoming or outgoing calls.

Try Burner for free for seven days.

Sources:

Americans lost $29.8 billion to phone scams over the past year | CNBC

What Is Malware - How to Prevent and Remove It | CompTIA

ReportFraud.ftc.gov | FTC

What Is A Trap Phone?

97% of Americans now own at least one cell phone of some kind. But for some people, one phone isn’t enough.

It can sometimes be useful to have a second phone to separate your work life from your personal life or help protect your privacy. But if you’ve ever seen an action movie or a crime drama, you probably know that second phones can be used for a lot more.

If you’ve ever wondered what to call those disposable phones that drug dealers and criminals use to conduct their business, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about “trap phones.”

What Is A Trap Phone?

“Trap phone” is a slang term for a second phone, or burner phone, that is often used by criminals to conduct illegal activity. These phones are an untraceable means of communication, meaning that they can be used to communicate with others, though they don’t contain personal information that can be used to identify the owner.

This makes trap phones popular for usage in narcotics deals and other criminal activity, as it easily allows an individual to communicate and set up deals without risk of being caught by police.

How Does A Trap Phone Work?

The classic idea of a trap (burner) phone is that the phone is physically thrown away when you’re done with it. This is what made them untraceable, as even if the phone is located by police, it cannot be traced back to a proper location.

Trap phones don’t need to be used for criminal activity, though. In fact, using a burner phone can help to secure your identity by protecting your personal phone number from scammers or spammers who are trying to commit fraud or other robocrimes.

But today, the idea of purchasing a pre-paid phone to throw away is a bit dated. Burner phones work a bit differently today than they used to. Now, you can use an app like Burner to emulate the same idea.

Burner works as a second phone number that acts as a “middle man” between a received call and your personal phone number. When you receive a call, it gets forwarded from the burner number to your phone so that you can stay anonymous. And when you place a call, it will show up on the caller ID as your burner number, not your own.

It’s like having a “trap phone” inside of your shiny new iPhone. And if you ever want to get rid of your burner number, you can delete it whenever without actually needing to throw away your device.

What Does Hacking Do?

While modern mobile phones with their LTE capabilities and high-tech features make certain aspects of life much easier, they can also threaten personal privacy. And hacking into modern phones is much easier than hacking into older phones.

Phone hacking involves any method where someone forces access into a phone. It can be something like a security breach, where someone uses your phone to gain access to personal information, or it might be something advanced like hacking a phone and remotely taking control of it to steal your identity.

Since typical “trap phones” used by criminals don’t contain much personal information on them, to begin with, they often can’t be hacked in a traditional sense to try to gain the whereabouts of the owner. 

Similarly, apps like Burner can’t be traced because the burner number is completely separate and unrelated from your phone itself.

When To Use A Trap Phone

“Trap phones” don’t need to be used for criminal activity. In fact, there are plenty of practical uses in everyday life where a burner phone may come in handy.

For one, anyone can use a second phone number in order to protect their personal number from scam calls, unknown numbers, or other potential security breaches. You should only give your personal number to people you trust. For everything else, you can use a burner number.

Additionally, it may be wise to use a burner number if your job requires you to make multiple calls from your personal phone. A second number will mask your personal number so that no one ever gets a hold of your private number or any private information.

What If My Phone Is Hacked?

If you suspect your phone has been hacked, the first thing you should do is contact any financial services that have your credit card or bank account information. Most hackers and cybercriminals are doing it for financial reasons, so you want to be sure to freeze your cards and make your bank aware before any serious damage occurs.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to change all of your passwords so that any breached accounts can no longer be accessed. If you’re still having issues and you think your phone is hacked, contact your mobile carrier or phone manufacturer for further steps.

Where Can I Get A Trap Phone?

If you’re looking to get a physical burner phone, you can purchase relatively inexpensive phones with activation codes or pre-paid sim cards at your local cellular store. But you can also use the Burner app to get a second (or third, or fourth) burner number right from your pre-existing smartphone. 

Conclusion

“Trap phone” is a slang term for a burner phone, and these are often used by drug dealers or other criminals to protect their identity when conducting business. These phones are untraceable, as they are often discarded physically when their intended use is complete.

However, the idea of a second phone number doesn’t need to be criminal in nature. In fact, using a burner number can help protect your identity from dangerous scammers or identity fraud. 

Start your Burner app 7-day trial now.

Sources:

Demographics of Mobile Device Ownership and Adoption in the United States | Pew Research Center

Phone Scams | FTC Consumer Information

Facts + Statistics: Identity theft and cybercrime | III

Spoofing Numbers: What Are They & How They Work

One of the greatest inventions of the past 40 years is caller ID, which gives you insight into who’s giving you a call before you answer the phone. And with 97% of the American population holding a cell phone of some kind, almost the entire nation has access to this key security feature.

While you know not to answer a call from a number you don’t recognize, it’s easy to pick up when it’s a familiar area code or even a familiar name. The thing is, you can’t always believe everything you see on the caller ID.

Scammers use a tactic called “phone spoofing” to manipulate you into taking their call. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Do We Mean By "Spoofing Phone Numbers?"

Call spoofing sounds a lot more fun than it really is. But in fact, it’s no laughing matter. Caller ID spoofing is when a scammer falsifies the information sent to your caller ID in order to disguise their identity. 

Often, scammers will make it appear as if the call comes from a local area code or even a government agency you may trust. When you answer, you may fall victim to their fraudulent scams and put yourself at risk of getting personal information compromised.

How Does Spoofing Phone Numbers Work?

Most scammers can spoof phone numbers with an IP phone connected to the internet rather than cell service. With these types of services, individuals can decide exactly what they want to be displayed on the phone’s screen during the call.

This software also allows robocalls and spam calls to be easily made to multiple numbers at one time. This is why phishing scams and fraudulent activity are such rampant problems across the country, and it only becomes more of a risk since caller ID information can be so easily manipulated.

Why Are Spoofed Phone Numbers Used?

Scammers can use spoofed phone numbers to make it appear as if a more familiar number is calling you. For example, they know you’re not likely to pick up the phone for a random number. But using a local area code or name of a familiar business can help widen a scammer’s list of potential targets in their phone book.

Spoofing phone numbers for fraud or other activity is illegal. However, you can use “inaccurate caller ID” information if personal privacy and security are your goals. In fact, we recommend this.

By using apps like Burner, you can make calls from your primary phone under the guise of a secondary phone number. This means that when you call another number from your personal phone, the person on the other end won’t be able to identify your personal digits. They’ll just see the burner number on their caller ID.

How Should You Handle Spoofed Phone Numbers?

You shouldn’t answer calls from an unknown number, but it can be easier said than done if the number looks familiar to you. If you feel like you’re falling victim to a trick or scam, there are a few things to keep in mind.

For one, if you answer the phone and you begin to hear a pre-recorded message, just hang up the phone. Don’t push any buttons or speak into the other end, as this will alert scammers that your phone number is real, making you a potential target.

If you are being pressured for information immediately, use caution. Tactics like time sensitivity, urgency, and threats are common among scammers to try to elicit the desired response from you. Never give out personal information over the phone if you have any doubts whatsoever.

Finally, talk to your mobile carrier about blocking robocalls or spam calls. Most carriers allow you to block calls and texts easily. For instance, you can forward spam messages to SPAM (7726) to alert your carrier of spam and block the number from contacting you again. 

Also, the Federal Trade Commission (FCC) has a Do Not Call list where you can file a complaint about unwanted robocalls while also placing yourself on a registry so that telemarketers do not reach out to you.

If you’re not able to stop spam calls, you can still take some steps to reduce the risk of them obtaining your personal information. Apps like Burner never allow unknown callers to gain access to your primary number, so you can have peace of mind that your personal passwords and account information is safe.

Conclusions

Caller ID spoofing is a common tactic used by phone scammers in which the caller ID information is falsified to make it appear as if the incoming call is being made by someone else. Typically, they’ll make it appear as if the number is coming from a local area code or a familiar government agency.

Spoofed phone numbers can make it more difficult to trace the original origin of a phone call, which helps to protect the identity of the individual making the call. While it’s illegal when this tactic is used for fraudulent activity, it is completely legal to do this if you’re just trying to protect your own private information.

Using the Burner number is an easy way to defend yourself from spoofed calls. Unknown callers will never see your real phone number by rerouting your second number back to your personal number. 

This helps to guard your privacy and reduce the risk of getting your personal information solicited. Start your 7-day free trial with Burner today to see how its benefits make your life easier.

Sources:

Demographics of Mobile Device Ownership and Adoption in the United States | Pew Research Center

Caller ID Spoofing | Federal Communications Commission

National Do Not Call Registry | Federal Trade Commission

How To Report Spam Texts

Texting is one of the best and easiest ways to talk with others, and it allows for seamless communication across the country. However, there’s nothing worse than getting a cell phone notification only to find that it’s a spam message from a random number.

Spam texts aren’t just frustrating; they can also be dangerous. In fact, nearly 59.4 million Americans have lost money due to phone scams during 2020. What’s worse? The total loss averages around $502 per person.

You don’t want to fall victim to the same fate. Here’s how you can report spam messages easily and effectively.

The Do Not Call Registry

If you’re like many Americans who are tired of telemarketers crowding your voicemail inbox, you might have considered joining the National Do Not Call Registry. This federal government database lists telephone numbers of people who wish not to be contacted by telemarketers.

With that said, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cannot actually block unwanted calls or filter unknown senders. This is just a list that lets telemarketers know certain families have requested not to be contacted. So while it’s a useful tool, you may still get spam messages and calls regardless. 

The Fcc Robocall Rules

Consumers in the U.S. received nearly 4 billion robocalls, or robotic calls, in 2020 alone. To cut back on spam and defend Americans from identity theft or other losses from scam calls, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took action.

Now, the FCC has ruled that while most robocalls are entirely legal, a caller must give written consent before a telemarketing call can be made to a home or wireless phone number. It also requires that callers give written or verbal consent before making a pre-recorded call or text to your number.

Report Spam Texts To The Carriers

The good news about receiving spam texts instead of spam calls is that reporting them is actually a little easier. Most cell phone carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint participate in a service that allows you to forward unwanted texts to SPAM (7726).

Carriers will then use this information to try to block future scammers who may be using the same number. The simple action not only protects you but also protects others.

Spam Reporting Tools

The FTC has a tool that easily allows you to report suspicious texts or fraudulent calls. Just go to reportfraud.ftc.gov to fill out a quick survey that notifies the FTC of suspicious and potentially dangerous spam calls and texts. This can help them trace fake phone numbers.

Reporting Spam Through Your Google/Apple/Microsoft Account

In most cases, you can try to block spam messages within the same app you use for your messaging. For instance, if you use iMessage, you can block numbers by clicking the contact icon at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller,” and you’ll no longer receive any communication from them.

On Android, you’ll open the messages app and touch and hold the conversation you want to report. Then, you’ll tap Block, Report Spam, and OK.

If you get an email or text on google that you’d like to report, go to the message in Gmail. Next to “Reply”, click “More.” Then, just click “Report Phishing” to notify google of the problem.

Finally, if you’re using Windows or Microsoft, you can report spam by selecting the suspicious message in Outlook. On the ribbon, choose “Report Message” and then select “Phishing.” This reports the activity to Microsoft and also blocks the sender from contacting you in the future.

How Our App Helps

Scam callers can gain a lot of information from you from just your phone number alone. While you can get a burner phone to try to protect your privacy, these are expensive and make it inconvenient to carry around two phones.

Burner can help solve this issue by providing a second burner number that re-routes calls and texts to your main number. So you won’t miss any important calls or texts, but scammers won’t be able to identify your actual phone number.

You can create as many simultaneous local numbers as you want and burn your numbers whenever you’d like. It’s an essential barrier between you and annoying spam calls or texts.

Conclusion

Spam calls and texts are more than just annoyances: they can put your privacy and safety at risk. You can report spam texts to the FTC directly, or you can report them through your phone carrier. Not to mention, you can take preventative measures like putting yourself on the Do Not Call registry.

No matter what you do, spam might leak through. Protect your privacy, your personal, and business phone number with Burner. 

Only give your personal number to people you trust. For everyone else, there’s Burner. Click here to create your number and feel what it’s like to have full privacy.

Sources:

Americans lost $29.8 billion to phone scams over the past year | CNBC

List a Number on the National Do Not Call Registry | Federal Trade Commission

Stop Unwanted Robocalls and Texts | Federal Communications Commission.

How to Block and Report Spam Calls and Text Messages (Published 2018) | The New York Times

ReportFraud.ftc.gov | Federal Trade Commission

Spam Phone Calls Revenge: What Exactly Is It?

When you answer the phone and hear a scam telemarketer or robocall on the other end, it’s natural to want to get revenge on them right away. Well, there are ways that you can give spam callers a taste of their own medicine.

This is a good thing, especially since scammers have been the source of financial hardship for many. In fact, Americans lost $29.8 billion to phone scams in just 2020 alone. And this doesn’t take into account the number of people who are affected by identity theft or other stressors due to spam phone calls.

If you’re looking to get some payback on the telemarketers and scam callers, spam phone call revenge will let you do so.

What Is a Spam Phone Call?

A spam phone call is an unsolicited call made to your phone number, typically involving some form of phishing or fraudulent scam. In many cases, the call doesn’t even come from a real phone number: it comes from a computer, so it can not be tracked.

You can place yourself on the Do Not Call list, which is a federal government-regulated service that makes it unlawful for telemarketers to contact numbers on the list. While the Do Not Call Registry can’t actually block calls from going to your number, it can give you grounds to get some legal revenge if they do call.

Do Spam Phone Calls Really Work?

There’s a reason why so much money was lost to spam phone calls in 2020, and it’s that scammers use persuasion techniques that are effective at taking the general population for granted. Vulnerable groups, like the elderly, are especially susceptible to spam robocalls.

The reason that many scams seem to be effective is that they often include familiar brand names to increase credibility. Additionally, they’ll make time-sensitive claims to give the call a sense of urgency and danger that many individuals may fall for.

Warning signs that a call is coming from an unsolicited source include:

• Calls coming from someone claiming to work at a government agency or major tech firm, like Apple or Microsoft

• Call-pitching services that sound too good to be true, like cash prizes or debt reduction

• Unsolicited calls from charity organizations

How To Stop Spam Phone Calls

There are a few ways you can stop spam calls. For one, you can block them directly on your iPhone. 

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings, 

2. Then click Phone. 

3. Tap “Call Blocking and Identification” to allow an app to filter and detect spam calls.

For Android, you can do the same by:

1. Opening the phone app, 

2. Tapping “Recents” at the bottom of the screen. 

3. Tap the call you want to report as spam, then tap Block.

You can also protect your personal information and privacy with a second Burner number. A Burner number works by rerouting calls from a temporary number to your primary number so that scammers never actually see what your personal phone address is. 

Keeping spammers from seeing your personal phone information helps to prevent spam callers from securing highly personal information about you.

Plus, when you make calls, the caller ID on the other end will show up as your Burner ID. You can keep your Burner numbers for as long as you’d like, and burn them whenever you’d like.

What Is Spam Phone Call Revenge?

Spam phone calls revenge is exactly what it sounds like: it’s when you use an app or another tool to get some revenge on the scammers who wreak havoc on your life. Basically, instead of them scamming you, you’ll be scamming them back.

A service called Robo Revenge, which is included in an iPhone app called DoNotPay, helps you to file a lawsuit against robocallers and trick them into revealing the source of unwanted calls. The app was created to create automatic appeals to get out of parking tickets. However, it now contains a ton of helpful features.

The revenge feature works by giving you a temporary credit card number that you can provide to a robocaller when they try to sell you something. The scammer must supply a name, address, and phone number to the credit card company for processing. When they attempt the transaction, the card is rejected. The transaction information is ultimately given to you so that you know who to sue.

But is filing a lawsuit even legal? Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, you have the right to sue telemarketers who phone without your permission. If your number is listed on the Do Not Call list and you’re still contacted, you may have grounds to secure up to $1,500.

Conclusion

Spam phone calls are more than just an annoying nuisance, they can end up costing you a lot of money or personal information. You can avoid spam calls by knowing the warning signs and reporting suspicious numbers to your phone carrier. Additionally, you should block phone numbers on your phone directly.

When you’re tired of getting spam, you can also take some revenge. Spam call revenge lets you file a lawsuit against scammers who have given you unsolicited calls despite being on the Do Not Call list. Apps like Robo Revenge can help you throughout the process.

In the meantime, protect your privacy and gain peace of mind by getting a Burner number. 

Click here to get your second number and take your first steps towards fighting back against unwanted calls and texts.

Sources:

Americans lost $29.8 billion to phone scams over the past year | CNB

FCC Actions on Robocalls, Telemarketing | Federal Communications Commission

This app promises to wreak revenge on robocallers. But be careful it doesn't backfire | Boston Globe

National Do Not Call Registry | Federal Trade Commission

Why so many people fall for scams | BBC

How to Identify and Avoid Common Phone Scams | AARP

What Does Star 67 Do?

It wasn’t a good slumber party if you weren’t making a couple of prank calls. But obviously, you can’t let the people on the other end know who’s ringing them up asking if their refrigerator is running. And the best way to hide your identity was a simple trick you could do right on the landline.

While that’s mostly harmless fun, protecting your privacy can be a necessary component of your security in the modern age. In fact, people reported over $667 million in losses to imposters calling from fraudulent numbers.

Star 67 is a way to keep your phone number anonymous when you make an outgoing phone call. But it’s not the only way to keep your identity safe when it comes to spam and marketing calls. Here’s everything you need to know about star 67.

What Is *67?

While there are now plenty of apps that can help hide your identity when making calls on your smartphone, it hasn’t always been that easy. On older landline phones, you need to use some hidden features.

Star 67 is among a series of codes that you can use on your landline or smartphone to conceal your identity or alter certain features. Other codes include star 60, which lets you block an unknown number or star 72 for call forwarding on a landline phone.

Using this code to hide your phone number is legal if you’re not using it for phishing or fraudulent scams. This includes those seemingly harmless prank calls, so be sure not to abuse these features the next time you decide to conceal your privacy.

How Does *67 Work?

Star 67 is a free process that hides your number when you make an outgoing phone call. All you need to do is dial star 67 before typing in someone’s phone number. On their caller ID, it shows up as “private” or “blocked,” so your number stays secure, and they can’t call you back.

In some cases, you may need to use #31# instead, though both codes do the same thing to cover up your phone number on the other end of the call.

Using *67

There are certain circumstances where using star 67 might make a lot of sense. For one, it’s a great option for online or remote dating. If you need to reach out to a potential new lover, but you haven’t yet met them, you don’t want to trust them with your personal phone number. Using star 67 allows you to make the connection without them gaining any personal insight.

Additionally, using star 67 can be a good idea if you’re working in a business that requires calling customers on a regular basis. It’s normal to be a little bit concerned about security when you’re reaching out to so many people, so you can use this code to hide your number and prevent future scams or spam calls.

This code can also come in handy whenever you are calling someone for the first time. For instance, if you’re picking up a furniture item that you purchased from an online retailer that you may not be able to trust fully, star 67 lets you communicate while keeping your identity hidden.

In general, using star 67 can be helpful if you’re just security conscious in general. Scam calls have only gotten more complex and common due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so now is a more important time than ever to make your security of paramount importance.

How to Use *67 on an iPhone

You can use star 67 on an iPhone, Android device, or landline device. But you can also obtain the same function through some other means. To utilize this feature on an ios device, here’s what you do:

1. Go to “Settings”

2. Scroll down and choose “Phone”

3. Navigate to the calls section and click “Show Caller ID”

4. On the toggle switch, make sure the switch is white colored or off. This will make it so that all of your outgoing calls show up as “No Caller ID”

How to Use *67 on an Android Phone

To remain anonymous on your Android phone, here are some steps you can take:

1. Go to the “Phone” app.

2. Look for the search bar on the menu and click on the three dots near the dropdown menu.

3. Choose “Settings”

4. Hit the “Calls” button

5. Click “Additional Settings”

6. Click “Caller ID”

7. Hit the “Hide Number” icon when the pop-up interface appears on your device

On both your iPhone or Android, you can also use an app to keep your number anonymous as well. Burner gives you a secondary phone number that routes all calls to your primary phone number. Not only does this protect your personal number when making outgoing calls, but it also shields it from incoming numbers too.

Conclusion

Star 67 is a simple, temporary way to conceal your number every time you make an outgoing call. It’s one of a few different codes you can dial before entering someone’s number to ensure that your personal number doesn’t appear on their caller ID.

This can come in handy when you’re communicating with someone for the first time, such as in a business transaction or when online dating. And with phone scams becoming more common than ever, now’s the time to make sure you’re keeping your identity safe.

On your iPhone or Android, you can use star 67 by changing your caller ID settings in the phone app. You can also get a second burner number to keep your number a secret during both incoming and outgoing calls. 

With so many options, you’ll be able to take your slumber party prank calls to a whole new level. Or, you can just use these features to keep your personal information safe.

Sources:

The top frauds of 2019 | FTC Consumer Information

Caller ID Spoofing | FCC

Common Scams and Frauds | USA.gov

How To Find Out Who Called You

Considering there are 5.27 billion people using cell phones around the world, it’s fairly common to receive a phone call from an unknown number as a mistake. Someone might have accidentally dialed the wrong number or entered the wrong information for a contact.

It’s better to use a spam blocking app such as Burner that will outright block calls coming from unknown numbers.

However, these calls shouldn’t be a very common occurrence. If you frequently receive calls from numbers you don’t know, it’s most likely an attempt to scam you. If you want to know who is calling you, there are quite a few options to find out. 

Why Random Numbers Might Be Calling You

Although it won’t always be the case, it’s safe to say that most of these calls are spam. It’s estimated that there will be more than 71 billion spam calls made in 2021. This represents a 30 percent increase in the total number of spam calls despite recent legislation being signed in an attempt to stop them. 

The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act was signed into law in late December of 2019. However, the total amount has only increased since then. These calls are more than just an annoyance; they are dangerous and potentially life-altering. 

Phone scams have resulted in Americans losing nearly $30 billion over the course of the last year alone. Generally, these scammers will use a programmed robot to dial millions of numbers at random in order to make contact. 

If a person answers the phone, the scam attempt will begin and almost always involves giving out your financial information for some reason or another. One of the popular new trends for scammers is to use COVID-19 as a means to prey on people. 

Even if you don’t fall for the scam, by answering the phone, you have indicated to scammers that your number is “active,” and they will almost certainly continue trying to scam you. 

Options For Finding Out Who Is Calling You

In order to stay safe from these scams and protect your personal information, you should just assume that calls coming from an unknown number are scams. There are so many other ways for someone to reach you instead of constantly calling from an unknown number. They could use texting, social media, or have a mutual acquaintance give you their number. 

That being said, if you are curious as to who is on the other end of the line and calling you, there are quite a few options for finding out. 

Google It

The first option is the easiest and most obvious: Google the number. In fact, Google searches are so common that the word was added to the dictionary as a verb. It’s possible that Googling the numbers that have been calling you will come back with information relating to them. 

There are plenty of lists available online that keep track of all the various scam numbers that have been reported. The numbers that have been calling you might appear on one of these lists, and Google should find out during the search. 

The best part about Google is that it’s free. So even if it doesn’t work out, it won’t cost you any money. 

Use A Reverse Number Lookup Service

A Google search is a good way to find all kinds of information, but it’s not primarily designed for looking up phone numbers, and the results are often lacking. By using a reverse number service, you can find out all kinds of information associated with a number, including the name of the person or business, their address, and any other relevant information. 

The service will typically scan a few billion records in order to find out everything associated with the number, so it might take a little while to complete. The data will come from sources that are made available to the public, so these searches aren’t doing anything illegal. The only thing you will need to create a search is the ten-digit phone number that called you. 

Very little information may come back on your search, and that’s typically a sign of a spoofed call. This is another tactic used by spammers where they change the Caller ID number to a different one than the actual number making the call. 

So the chances are that if the number has no information relating to it, then it’s a scam. A few options provide this service for free but with limited features and search results. Some of the best sites that provide reverse number searches include Instant Checkmate, Zlookup, Spokeo, and Whitepages.  

Dial *69 After Receiving A Call

Nearly every phone comes standard with a Caller ID these days, and so you should see a phone number appear whenever you receive a call. However, there are a few easy ways that a person or scammer might hide their number to come up as unknown, blocked, or private. 

Even though the phone number has been hidden from your Caller ID, you can still find it out by entering the Last Call Return code of “*69”. This code will only work on the most recent call that you’ve received and must be used within 30 minutes. 

After you’ve entered the code, you should receive a recording that lists off the number and will give you the option to dial it by pressing “1”. It’s important to note that the exact service can vary depending on your phone service provider. 

Some of them will automatically attempt to connect with the previous number instead of listing it first. Since most of these calls are made as an attempt to scam you, it’s best not to call back the number once you have it. 

Check Your Voicemail

Whether your Caller ID displays a number or not, you should just let the call go to voicemail. There is no reason to answer a call when you have no idea who it is. Checking your voicemail is a safe and easy way to figure out who called you. It’s possible that a friend or family member was using a new phone or a similar situation. 

However, it’s most likely that the call was either a telemarketer trying to sell you something or a robocall trying to spam you. Most of the time, spam calls won’t leave a voicemail, but some of them do. It can be somewhat tricky trying to determine if the voicemail is legitimate or a scam. 

As mentioned earlier, these scammers will use anything they can to scam you, so you’ll have to be careful when trying to figure out if the call is real or a fraud. You will probably just end up deleting the voice mail, but it’s worth a listen just in case it’s real. Make sure you take the time to block the number on your phone once you’ve determined it’s a scam. 

The Takeaway

Frequently receiving calls from unknown or random phone numbers is one of the annoying downsides of owning a smartphone. You mustn’t answer these calls as they are usually spam. There are plenty of ways for you to find out who is calling after you have their number, and it’s just not worth the risk. 

The best way to avoid dealing with these constant and annoying disruptions is to use a spam blocking app like Burner. You won’t have to worry about constantly receiving unknown calls or potentially getting scammed by blocking all unknown numbers.

SOURCES:

Digital Around the World — DataReportal – Global Digital Insights.

RoboKiller Releases 2021 Mid-Year Phone Scam and Political Message Reports.

Here's what you need to know about the new law on robocalls

iPhone Vs. Android: Which Phone Is Better?

Throughout history, there have been quite a few famously brutal corporate rivalries. Coca-Cola versus Pepsi, Ford versus Chevrolet, and McDonald’s versus Burger King are some of the more popular battles. 

In the modern age of technology, the newest and hottest rivalry is centered around cell phones: iPhone versus Android. 

Owners of each phone can list off at least a dozen reasons why their phone is the superior option, but which one is better for you? Either phone will come pre-loaded with incredible features as well as the opportunity to install apps that will improve your overall experience. 

Let's clarify what we mean by Android mobiles: We mean all Android devices. This includes:

• Google Pixel phones

• Samsung Galaxy S21/Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

However, there are quite a few key differences between the two phones that might make your decision easier.  

Why iPhones Are Better

June 29, 2007, marked a historic day in the world of technology as the first iPhone was released on the market. The four GB base model was sold for an unprecedented $499 and required a two-year contract to use. 

Despite the incredible price, thousands of people waited in lines for days leading up to the launch, and stores quickly sold out. The iPhone is not just a wildly more popular phone; it’s an overall better product for the following reasons:

Third-Party Apps Are Better

Even though they perform a lot of the same functions, the iPhone has a much different operating system than Androids. Trying to develop an app will typically mean that the developer will have to design it specifically for one specific version first. 

If the app is successful, then they will build the app to operate on the other system. However, it doesn’t seem to matter which operating system that the app is built for originally because they end up running much better on iPhones. 

This might be the reason why iPhones have much better exclusive apps too. There are a few apps that are exclusive for Android as well, but none of them are anywhere near as good as iPhone exclusives.  

Way Better Software Updates

Not only does the iPhone have this advantage over Android, but it’s also honestly not even close. The current operating system for the iPhone is “iOS 14”. The brand new iPhone 11 will operate on this system, but why this matters is how far back the update will reach. 

The iPhone 6S was released in 2015, and it will also receive this software update even though the phone is more than six years old. 

For Android users, their latest software update is known as “Android 11”  will probably take a few months before it’s installed on the newest phone and will never reach older phones. Unless you stay relatively current with Android phones, you will most likely be using old and outdated software. 

Apple is way more lenient and will continue updating phones from several years ago, so there is less of a necessity to upgrade your phone.

Better Privacy From Third Party Apps

The collection and selling of personal data have become an international issue, with plenty of legislation being created in order to curb the practice. Most third-party apps will request that you enable certain permissions that will allow them to track the activities performed on your phone. 

Since you are granting the app permission to do so, it’s not considered illegal, even if it might be immoral. Apple has recently introduced a feature that will allow you to opt-out of these apps and receive notifications when an app is tracking you. 

Android doesn’t have this feature, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will develop their own version. If you are concerned about keeping your private data secure, then the iPhone has an extra edge with this feature.   

Way More Accessories and Features

When it comes to accessory options, it’s almost impossible to beat the selection provided by Apple. Any tech store will have tons of available products, including cases, charger options, screen protectors, car mounts, camera lenses, and too many more to mention. 

Android will naturally provide some version of these accessories, but they are much more difficult to find and often don’t come with the flare and style of Apple accessories. Most people will have their phones with them at all times in their life unless they are in the shower or a swimming pool, and some people might still be using them. 

Being able to accessorize your phone might seem relatively trivial, but in a rivalry as hot as this, it can make all the difference for some users.

Apple's ecosystem also includes:

• Apple's Siri

• iCloud

• iPads

• iMessage

• Apple Store

• Apple Maps and more

• Facetime

Why Androids Are Better

A little bit over a year after the iPhone was released, the first Android hit the market on September 23, 2008. Unlike the incredible price for the iPhone, the first Android was sold for $179. 

While the first model lacked a few features when compared directly to the iPhone, its lower cost helped Android to enter into the market and immediately become a major player. 

After more than ten years of development, Android is essentially the only real competition or threat to the iPhone. Here are some of the reasons why it’s a superior product:

Much Better Price Options

A large majority of smartphones run Android, and so lots of companies build Android handsets. As a result, you can find an Android for much cheaper than you can find an iPhone. That’s not to say that Androids are cheap; it’s just that there are way many more options. 

You could still buy an Android exceeding $1,000 if you wanted to, but you will be able to save much more money using Android instead of iPhone.

More Customization

Both phones will allow a certain level of customization, but Android will give you way more freedom. Unlike iPhone users, Android allows you to use widgets to customize your home screen, replace core services with third-party apps, and even make adjustments to the software. 

The iPhone is starting to allow for more customization, but it’s still very far behind what Android permits.

Universal Charging

Every phone will need a charger sooner or later. With an iPhone, you will have to use a very specific charger that sometimes isn’t even included with your phone when you buy it. Android users will have a much easier time finding a potential charging cable because they typically use the USB-C cable. 

This universal cable is used on most devices these days and is often much cheaper to replace than a standard iPhone charger that only works on your phone. 

More Innovations

Apple is very capable of creating some incredible innovations for the iPhone, but they are just one company. Since Android has so many companies building their phones, it’s much easier for them to come up with new and innovative features. For example, wireless charging, water-resistance, and multi-lens cameras were first featured on Androids. 

Additionally, copy and paste, multi-window options, 4G LTE, and 5G were available on Androids well before iPhones. While not every feature will become popular or continue into the next generations, Androids remain the leader for innovation.

Popular Android ecosystem features are:

• Better web browsers, mobile operating systems, and platforms

• Better hardware

• Google Assistant

• Google Play Store

• Google Maps

The Takeaway

At this point, you should have some idea of which phone is better for you. Whatever choice you make will have incredible voice assistant features, battery life, user interfaces, and other features that should serve you very well in your daily life. There really is no wrong choice, and your selection will come down to personal preference. 

Once you’ve made your decision, don’t forget to look into security apps for your phone. Both options have built-in security, but none of their programs will match the security features of an app like Firewall or Burner.

SOURCES

The evolution of Apple's iPhone | computerworld.com

iOS Apps Are Still Better Than Android In 2021 — And That's A Problem | screenrant.com

The Best iOS-Only Apps | pcmag.com

Unwanted Calls: How To Avoid Them

There aren’t very many issues today that have bipartisan support in the government. However, when it comes to spam calls, robocalls, and other types of unwanted calls, they are universally hated by both parties. 

Now, politicians have come together to create legislation aimed at eliminating unwanted calls. 

While these attempts have been noble and helped create some solidarity between the parties, they have also largely been unsuccessful. Fortunately, several options are available that can help you reduce the number of unwanted calls you deal with daily. Even an app can help eliminate them completely and block 100% of spam calls.

Who Is Behind These Unwanted Calls?

If you are constantly receiving calls from numbers you don’t recognize or private numbers, it’s most likely an attempt to scam you out of your money. These scammers or telemarketers are pretty clever and will constantly change their tactics to avoid detection and stay at least one step ahead of their victims. 

For example, the recent coronavirus pandemic has frequently appeared in scams. A recent survey revealed that 18 percent of the participants had experienced financial losses due to a scam in 2020 and 17 percent claimed it was related to coronavirus. 

Other survey participants reported that they experienced scam calls from spammers posing as charities relating to coronavirus relief. Not all scams will involve coronavirus, but this illustrates how clever scammers can be. 

They will use whatever means at their disposal to get your private information, which is why it’s so important never to answer the call.

What Should You Do When You Receive A Likely Spam Call?

The most important thing that you can do when you think you are receiving a spam call is to ignore it. There is never a reason for you to answer the phone when it’s a number that you don’t recognize or appears as unknown, blocked, or private. 

The smartest thing that you can do is let the call go to voicemail. You can listen to the message that they leave and determine if the call was legitimate. Scams have become so intricate that even answering the phone is enough for the scam to work. 

One of the newer techniques deployed by scammers is to use your local area code when calling. Most people won’t answer a phone number from an area code that they don’t recognize. By using a local area code, a person might assume the call is coming from someone they know instead of a scammer. 

It’s a good rule to assume that unknown numbers are scammers. Even if you are wrong, you can simply listen to the voicemail and return the call. It’s not worth the risk of answering the phone and being scammed. In the last year alone, the average scam cost the victim more than $500. 

How To Avoid Unwanted Calls

Having to ignore a phone call isn’t too bad now and again, but it can get annoying when it’s multiple times a day. If you are frequently dealing with unwanted calls, these are a few of the ways that you can fight back. 

Block The Number In Your Phone

Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, you have the option to block specific numbers. This option is especially useful when you have the same number making multiple calls daily, but it won’t block all unwanted calls. 

You will have to individually block numbers as they call your wireless phone or home phone to prevent them from calling again in the future. These work whether your carrier is T-Mobile/Sprint, AT&T, or Verizon.

Android phone

1. Open the Phone app and pull up your Recent Calls list.

2. Look for the number you want to block on the list.

3. Select the number and tap the Info icon that looks like a lowercase “i.”

4. Tap the Block option in the lower right corner.

5. Confirm Block, and the number will automatically be transferred to your voicemail when it calls.

 iPhones (iOS device)

1. Open the Phone app and select Recent on the list.

2. Look for the number that you want to block.

3. Tap the Info icon that looks like a lowercase “i.”

4. Scroll down the list and select Block This Caller.

5. Select Confirm, and the number will automatically be transferred to your voicemail when it calls.

Set Your Phone To Do Not Disturb

If you have absolutely reached your limit with unwanted calls, you can set your phone to Do Not Disturb. This is something of a nuclear option as this mode will send all of your calls, not just silence unknown callers. It sends everything directly to voicemail and won’t alert you to any notifications such as a text message or email. However, thanks to recent updates for Androids and iPhones, you have the option to adjust the settings and set up exceptions. 

Android phone

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Select the Sound option and then Do Not Disturb.

3. There should be an Exceptions list.

4. Scroll through and select Allow Calls and Contacts Only.

5. Repeat step #4 for your messages and select Contacts Only.

6. You may also want to select Allow Reminders and Allow Events. 

7. Calls from unknown numbers should be automatically redirected to your voicemail from now on.

iPhones (iOS device)

1. Open the Settings app and select Do Not Disturb.

2. Tap the Manual toggle to enable the mode.

3. Scroll down and locate the Allow Calls From option.

4. Select the All Contacts option from the menu. 

5. Calls from unknown numbers should be automatically redirected to your voicemail from now on.

Use A Third Party App

The options listed above can help reduce the number of unwanted calls that you receive. However, none of them will be able to prevent 100 percent of them in the same way that an app like Firewall can. 

Unlike other similar third-party apps, Firewall uses a whitelist approach to dealing with unwanted calls. When you install the app, you will create a list of people from your contacts that you want to receive calls from. 

Only these approved numbers will be sent through to your phone. All other callers will either be outright blocked calls or sent to voicemail. Other apps typically use a blacklist approach to reject calls from suspected spam numbers. 

This approach usually isn’t effective for very long as scammers are constantly changing their numbers and strategies. It usually doesn’t take a scammer very long to bypass a blacklist. Another added feature that separates Firewall from other options is that it will provide a visual voicemail option. 

Instead of having to listen to voicemails, you can simply have them transcribed into a text and read them. So if an unknown number was a legitimate call, you could read the voicemail and add the number to your white list so it’ll be sent through in the future. 

A firewall is available for a 14-day free trial and will require a monthly subscription to continue service afterward. If you are tired of dealing with unwanted calls, using a guaranteed service like Firewall can help keep your phone quiet. 

The Takeaway

Dealing with a constantly ringing phone with unwanted callers at the other end of the line is enough to make you want to throw your phone out the window. Instead of doing anything rash, try a few of the options listed above. 

You should be able to reduce the number of unwanted calls by using some of the features of your phone. If that’s not enough to quiet your phone, using an app like Firewall is guaranteed to eliminate 100 percent of those unwanted calls. 

Whatever option you try first, remember that you should never answer any calls from numbers you don’t know. Once the scammers know the line is active, they will flood your phone even worse than before.  

SOURCES:

Americans Fell Victim to Mobile Phone Scams 270% More Often in 2020

"Can You Hear Me?" Scam Calls | The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison

12 Dangerous Scam Phone Numbers and Area Codes to Avoid

Flip Phones At Walmart Vs. Burner: Which Is Better?

If you’ve only heard about burner phones from spy movies, you might be surprised to learn that they have a lot of practical functions for everyday life.

Burner phones are a great tool for keeping your personal information private, giving you a second phone number that people can contact if they need to get a hold of you. It becomes much easier to focus on your work-life balance when you don’t have to divulge your phone number to anyone who needs a moment of your time. 

In the past, burner phones have been cheap disposable phones that you can use a few times before getting rid of them without too much financial hassle. However, a new type of Burner has entered the fray in the last few years: The Burner app. 

Burner isn’t a second phone at all. Instead, it allows you to create a burner phone number attached to your existing device. So between your typical Walmart burner phone and the Burner app, which one comes out on top?

Walmart Flip Phones

Features

For this discussion, we will focus on the flip phones available at Walmart, such as the Walmart Family Mobile Alcatel Myflip. 

These prepaid phones fulfill the intended function as expected; they give you a different phone number with its own network and let you separate it from your main mobile device. 

In addition to the hardware itself, you also need to add a mobile plan, and these phones are compatible with the Walmart Family Mobile Plan, which runs on T-Mobile’s network. 

They come with talk, text, a mobile hotspot, and Bluetooth, along with a small camera and display. 

Price

A cheap Walmart flip phone will run you around $15, while a more expensive prepaid device could cost up to $150. Some people prefer using these prepaid phones, so investing in them is worth the money, but the cheapest options are more than sufficient for people who intend to use them as burner phones. 

Pros

These burner phones aren’t a huge investment, and they provide access to the basic options expected from a mobile phone. Coverage works off of T-Mobile, meaning you are covered around most major cities in the U.S. 

Cons

Owning a burner phone means lugging around two mobile devices at any given time. These flip phones aren’t overly expensive, but they still cost money and require you to set up a mobile plan. 

What Customers Say

Reviews for the MyFlip 2 indicate that the phone serves its intended purpose. It is especially useful for parents or grandparents who don’t want the hassle of managing a complicated phone plan. 

However, the risk with hardware like this is that they are fragile and need to be handled with care. 

Burner

Features

On the other hand, the Burner app is completely virtual and allows you to create a second phone number that you can use with your existing mobile device. 

Burner reroutes calls that are directed to your Burner number to your cell phone, keeping your information private while still getting you in touch with the people you need to talk to. 

You can filter outgoing calls through this burner number, and you can switch between your main number and burner number all on one device. 

Price

Long-term burners start at $4.99 a month, while prepaid burners range from $1.99 to $4.99. There are no purchases required outside of the Burner plan itself, given that there is no hardware involved beyond what you already own. 

Pros

Burner is a much cheaper option than buying a phone and a mobile plan, and it saves you the hassle of coordinating the activation of a completely new phone. With Burner, you can talk, text, and send pictures using a second phone number tied directly to your already existing device, meaning you don’t have to manage two separate devices. 

Cons

While this option is cheaper than a prepaid phone, Burner still does cost money for prepaid and monthly subscriptions. 

What Customers Say

Customers and the press alike have lauded Burner for its focus on privacy and intuitiveness, with the Examiner calling it the “ultimate throw-away phone number.”

Why You Should Choose Burner

Burner offers the same features as a Walmart flip phone for a fraction of the price and effort. Burner protects your phone number without forcing you to purchase a second phone plan and mobile device. 

You can filter out the people you are comfortable giving your number to from those you aren’t while still not missing any calls for a low price. 

There isn’t anything that a Walmart burner can do that isn’t easier using a second phone number from the Burner app. For that reason, the Burner app has a clear advantage over prepaid Walmart burner phones. 

Download the Burner app today.

Sources:

Walmart Family Mobile Alcatel Myflip | Walmart

Reviews — Walmart Family Mobile Alcatel My Flip 2, 4GB, Black - Prepaid Phone | Walmart

Flip Phones | Walmart