The Most Common Phone Scams in 2021

While the most common phone scams in 2021 are aimed at older adults, no one is immune. Scammers stay on top of current events and new trends, adapting their schemes accordingly. In this article, we will present the most frequent phone scams reported this year. CheckPeople.com’s reverse phone lookup can help you reveal a ploy before falling victim to one of them.

1. Vaccination Card Scams

This scam, like many others, is perpetrated due to social media. Many people who got COVID-19 vaccines have been posting selfies with their vaccination records to share this news with their contacts.

However, online scams were quick to follow – gathering valuable data from the vaccination cards, such as people’s full names, dates of birth, and other important information. This information made it easy to break into people’s bank accounts or get loans in their names.

You don’t need more than a generic sticker to impress your friends with your COVID-19 shot. Social media also have exceptional profile picture presets known as ‘Got My Vaccine.’

2. Phishing Texts

After the pandemic originated, tens of thousands of fake Zoom domains have emerged online. Scammers began sending texts that looked like they came from Zoom. The victim typically receives a text or email saying they missed a meeting or their Zoom account was suspended.

Once they click on it, malware is downloaded on their device. Then, it accesses their data to look for bank or credit card account passwords or to help criminals perpetrate other forms of identity theft.

Experts warn not to click on links in random text messages, emails, or social media messages. The accurate Zoom site is zoom.us. Furthermore, you should contact customer support if you believe there might be a problem with your account.

3. Social Media Giveaway Scam

Celebrities often organize social network money giveaways, where their fans post cash app identifiers to win money. Scammers were quick to pick up on this trend, offering fraudulent giveaways to obtain personal details.

As a result, you may receive a call or a text saying that you’ve won money, but you will first need to send money to claim it.

4. Medicare Scams

Scammers can call, text, email, and visit people’s homes, claiming to represent government health care organizations.

As part of this scam, they may ask you to verify your Medicare ID number, in exchange for which they promise a lot of excellent pandemic-related services, such as being moved up in line for the vaccine if you pay a small sum of money.

To protect yourself from this scam, you should hang up the phone and avoid responding to texts. Medicare never asks people for personal information, including their ID numbers.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free and always will be, so you should not need to give out your number or pay anything. What’s more, the organization would never call to sell you something.

5. IRS Imposter Scams

Admittedly, such scams were just as popular before 2021 as they are now. They involve getting a call from someone who says they work for the IRS. In addition, they might send a text message or an email. Typically, these scams come in two main categories: verification and tax collection.

The caller asks you to verify your personal information and sends you a message with a link in the former. If you click on it, you’ll be taken to a phoney IRS site (not irs.gov.) Once there, you’ll be asked for your soon-to-be stolen personal information.

Alternatively, you’ll get a call or letter claiming you have unpaid taxes. The caller will tell you to pay at once, usually via wire transfer or prepaid payment card. If you decline, they might threaten to arrest you. However, the IRS does not communicate by phone – they send letters to your registered mailing address.