We rarely answer our home phone. In fact, the message center isn’t monitored closely, and we pay little attention to it anymore. We seldom receive a call from anyone other than the drug store reminding us that a prescription is ready for pick up.
If it weren’t for the security system, we would abandon this antiquated mode of communication altogether. I’m also one of those people who doesn’t like change. We have had the same home number for more than 40 years. I can’t bear to part with it.
Occasionally, we get a call from someone from the past, an old friend from other places we lived or friends of the children who have grown up and moved away. I couldn’t bear it if we missed one of those calls.
One night, the phone rang, and my husband answered for a change. He started chatting with the caller. I heard him discussing a project in Wilson that we had done a few years back and how the area had changed.
I assumed it was an old friend and went about other things, not listening to much of the conversation. He chatted for quite some time. When he hung up, I asked, “Honey, who was that?” He answered, “A telemarketer.” What?! I’ve been leaving that man alone way too much.
He was vigilant, though, and didn’t purchase anything. Thank goodness.
Recently, two separate friends shared with me that they had been scammed. They fell for the bait and gave money to these fraudsters. One lost thousands of dollars. Both friends are intelligent women, and I’m still trying to figure out how it happened to them.
Apparently, it’s a common occurrence. According to the Federal Trade Commission, it received 2.6 million complaints in 2023. Consumers reported losing $10 billion to fraud.
I have often wondered how this could possibly be an effective way to market in this modern day. I assumed most people reacted as we do, without answering the phone or certainly hanging up shortly thereafter at the worst. Apparently not.
The states that receive the most calls per capita are Delaware, Ohio, Arizona, Illinois and North Carolina.
Many of these calls are from people who claim to work for a government agency. The IRS is at the top of the list. I’ve received these myself, threatening to take immediate action. The IRS will not call you on the phone, and they will not ask you for direct payment. There are many also posing as big tech firms, Amazon or a beloved charity.
Also, beware of free stuff. “You’ve just won a trip to Hawaii” is not something you should get excited over. It’s a scam.
My husband advertised a classic car for sale. A caller contacted him and made an offer that my husband accepted. He claimed to work at the FBI. He then began to arrange to have the car picked up and transported. The deal he proposed required my husband to put up money for the shipping fee, and he would include that amount in with the purchase price. Obviously, it was a scam. He was very good at his craft. When my husband said no, he became hostile and threatening. Not a good way to win customers.
The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission have jurisdiction over these regulations. They have help lines available for consumers to make reports, and they do offer advice.
My advice is do not answer the phone unless it’s someone you know. These fraudsters are very savvy, and they have a way of displaying the number as if it is from a local caller. I have had calls come in from my own number. If you do answer a call unknowingly, hang up quickly if the caller starts asking for information.
No legitimate business will insist that you decide right now. They will give you time if you are interested in their product or service.
Measure twice and cut once, as the old saying goes. Being careful is always the best policy.
Joyce Krawiec represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate from 2014 to 2024. She lives in Kernersville.
