BBB Warns About Robocalls with a Political Twist

Most people have received a robocall before: a recorded voice offering an unbeatable deal or claiming to be someone they are not. In a new twist, scammers use debated political issues to grab consumers’ attention.

How the Scam Works

You answer the phone and a recorded voice – perhaps one that sounds like President Trump – explains the purpose of the call. A popular topic for these calls involves asking for donations to fund the border wall, and as the 2020 election campaign heats up, other topics will undoubtedly be used as “bait” to grab interest.  

If you decide to donate, your money won’t support the political cause. Instead, the caller will make off with your money and personal information, which might be used for identity theft.

Avoid Robocall Scams

1. Screen your calls. If a call comes from an unknown number, don’t answer. Even if the number looks familiar, be wary. Check the number on WhitePages.com (a BBB Accredited Business) to see if it’s been flagged with a fraud alert.

2. Don’t respond to unsolicited calls. If you receive an unsolicited call that seems to come from a legitimate business, be cautious. Scammers can fake caller ID, and businesses are only allowed to call you if you give them permission. If someone is calling out of the blue, it’s most likely a scam. Best practice is to hang up the phone without interacting with the caller. Don’t “press 1 to be removed from our list;” that just confirms to the scammer that your number is good.

3. Register with the Do Not Call Registry. While it won’t prevent scammers from calling, it will reduce the number of marketing calls you receive, which will make it easier to identify fraudulent ones. Call 888-382-1222 or register online at donotcall.gov. 

For more information and resources, visit bbb.org/robocall or contact your BBB in Southern Arizona at 520-888-6161.