FTC Advises Public on Handling Silent and Unfamiliar Phone Calls to Combat Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued guidance to the public on how to respond to silent and unfamiliar phone calls, which are often linked to scam attempts. These calls can be unsettling, ranging from harmless technical issues to sophisticated fraudulent activities. Scammers frequently use automated calling technology and caller ID spoofing to disguise their identities and test phone numbers for activity. The FTC advises that if you answer an unfamiliar call and hear silence, it's best to hang up immediately to avoid potential phishing attempts or fraudulent sales pitches. It also warns against calling back unfamiliar numbers, as this can lead to 'one-ring scams' that connect to international premium-rate numbers, incurring unexpected charges. Modern smartphones offer features to block individual numbers, silence unfamiliar callers, or send suspicious calls directly to voicemail, and the FTC recommends utilizing these tools and reporting repeated suspicious calls to DoNotCall.gov.
