Auto Insurance Calls: Why Am I Getting So Many?

If you're receiving a high volume of calls about auto insurance, it's likely that you're being targeted by scammers. Auto insurance scams are the most pervasive type of insurance scam, with bad actors posing as insurance agents to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims. These scams often involve selling fake insurance policies or requesting payment for non-existent fees or services. To protect yourself, be cautious of calls from unknown numbers, avoid providing personal information, and consider using call-blocking apps or registering your number on the National Do Not Call list.

How to identify and block scam calls

Scam phone calls are a growing problem, with Americans losing billions to phone scams in recent years. These scams often involve impersonation, debt collection, illegal robocalls, and password request scams. Here are some ways to identify and block scam calls:

Identifying Scam Calls:

• Unsolicited calls from government agencies or major corporations: Be cautious of callers claiming to be from the IRS, DMV, FBI, or large companies like Amazon, Apple, or Microsoft.
• Too-good-to-be-true deals or giveaways: If you didn't enter a lottery or request a deal, it's likely a scam.
• Pause when you pick up before anyone answers: This is a sign of scammer call technology connecting you to them.
• Robocalls: There are laws prohibiting most forms of robocalls. If you didn't request or give permission for marketing calls, it's a scam.
• Claims of unpaid debts with threats of fines or jail time: Legitimate companies or agencies won't threaten you over the phone.
• Generic greeting and lack of knowledge about you: A legitimate caller requesting money or personal information will know whom they're calling.
• Requests for sensitive information: Never give out your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account information over the phone.
• Requests for personal information they should already have: For example, a Medicare representative should not ask for your Medicare number.
• Claims that your device is infected with malware or viruses: No one can know this without direct access to your device.

Blocking Scam Calls:

• Hang up and block the number: As soon as you suspect a scam call, hang up and block the number on your phone.
• Report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): You can file a complaint with the FCC, which can help identify scammers and take action.
• Contact your phone carrier: Inquire about spam protection services offered by your phone carrier.
• Use call-blocking services: Utilize services like Nomorobo, Truecaller, or YouMail to block spam calls.
• Silence unknown callers: On iPhone, you can enable the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature. On Android, you may need to block each unwanted call individually or use a similar feature if available.
• Register with the National Do Not Call Registry: Add your number to the registry to reduce unwanted calls.
• Ignore and block recorded spam messages: Do not respond to prompts or questions in recorded spam messages, as this may lead to more scam attempts.
• Use a secondary phone number: Consider using an application that provides a secondary phone number to protect your personal number from unsolicited calls.

How to avoid giving away personal information

If you're receiving a high volume of calls about auto insurance, it's likely that you're being targeted by scammers. These scams are designed to trick you into giving away personal information, which can then be used to defraud you. Here are some tips to avoid giving away your personal information:

• Do not provide personal information such as your social security number, credit card information, driver's license number, or bank account information to any caller unless you can verify that you are dealing directly with a legitimate company. Scammers may impersonate legitimate insurers or agents to trick you into sharing sensitive data.
• Be cautious of calls that seem authentic. Criminals may engage in caller ID "spoofing" by deliberately falsifying the information displayed on your Caller ID to disguise their identity. Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, and do not follow any prompts or menu options that may lead to further questions or requests for personal details.
• Utilise call-blocking services such as Nomorobo, Truecaller, or YouMail to prevent annoying spam calls. Apple devices also offer a feature to silence unknown callers, while some Android devices allow blocking all unknown callers.
• Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive.
• If you suspect a scam, contact your phone carrier to learn more about their spam protection services. You can also download the Hiya App, which offers additional protection against spam and fraud calls by identifying and blocking them.
• If you believe you have been targeted by a scammer, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While the FCC does not award individual damages, your report can help identify and take action against scammers.
• Be wary of calls regarding your auto warranty or insurance, especially if they claim it is about to expire. During these calls, scammers may instruct you to press a certain number or stay on the line, followed by requests for personal information.
• Be cautious of calls that seem to have specific information about your car and warranty. Scammers may use this tactic to deceive you into thinking they are legitimate callers. Always verify the caller's identity before sharing any personal details.
• If you're an older person, be extra vigilant as scammers often target seniors, believing them to be more vulnerable and susceptible to scams.

How to stop receiving spam calls

If you're receiving spam calls about auto insurance, it's likely that you've been targeted by scammers posing as insurance agents or representatives. These bad actors often aim to steal personal information or sell fake insurance policies. To stop receiving spam calls, here are some detailed and direct instructions:

• Do not answer calls from unknown numbers. If you do answer, your number may be registered as "live," which could result in more spam calls.
• Avoid following any prompts or menu options given by the caller. Do not provide any personal or financial information, such as your social security number, credit card details, or bank account information.
• Block the caller's number. Most devices offer built-in blocking features, or you can use third-party apps like Nomorobo, Truecaller, or YouMail for additional protection.
• Contact your phone carrier to inquire about their spam protection services. They may have tools or settings that can help reduce the number of spam calls you receive.
• If you're in the US, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about suspected scam calls. While the FCC does not award individual damages, your report can help identify and take action against scammers.
• Be cautious of caller ID spoofing, where scammers deliberately falsify the information displayed on your caller ID to disguise their identity. It's best to avoid answering calls you suspect may be spoofed.
• Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls.
• If you continue to receive a high volume of spam calls, consider contacting a lawyer to explore legal options, such as filing a robocall lawsuit under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the number of spam calls you receive and protect yourself from potential scams and identity theft.

What to do if you've answered a spam call

If you've answered a spam call, the first thing to do is hang up. Do not provide any personal information, such as your social security number, credit card information, driver's license number, or bank account information. If you have caller ID, you can screen incoming calls and avoid answering any calls you suspect may be spoofed. Legitimate telemarketers are required to transmit or display their phone number, as well as the name and/or phone number of the company they're representing. You can also file a complaint about suspected scam calls with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

To reduce the number of spam calls you receive, you can download a robocall-blocking app, such as RoboKiller or Nomorobo. Additionally, you can add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry, which is a free list meant to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. You can also file a robocall lawsuit if you've been hounded by robocalls and spam calls. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), you may be entitled to compensation of $500 per negligent violation and up to $1,500 per willful violation.

How to report scam calls

If you are receiving a high volume of calls about auto insurance, it is likely that you are being targeted by scammers. These scams often involve impersonating a legitimate insurance company to trick you into signing up for a fake or inadequate plan. They may also be after your personal information, such as your social security number, credit card information, or bank account details.

Do Not Answer Calls from Unknown Numbers:

If you answer a spam call, your number is registered as "live", which will likely result in you receiving even more scam calls. It is best to avoid answering calls from unknown numbers.

Do Not Follow Prompts or Provide Personal Information:

If you do accidentally answer a scam call, do not follow any prompts or menu options. Do not give out any personal or financial information, such as your social security number, credit card details, or bank account information.

Block the Calls:

You can use call-blocking services or apps to prevent annoying spam calls. On Apple devices, there is a feature called "Silence Unknown Callers" that mutes all calls from unknown numbers. For Android devices, the process may vary, but some phones allow you to block all unknown callers, while others require you to block each number individually.

Report Scam Calls to the Relevant Authorities:

You can report scam calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Additionally, if you believe you have received an illegal call or text, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/complaints. If the scam call involves IRS fraud, you can also file a complaint with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at www.tigta.gov.

Register Your Number on the National Do Not Call Registry:

You can add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry by visiting DoNotCall.gov or calling 1-888-382-1222 (or 1-866-290-4236 for TTY). This will help reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive from legitimate companies. However, it is important to note that this will not stop scam calls.

Contact Your Phone Carrier:

Your phone carrier may offer additional spam protection services or call-blocking tools. Contact them to learn more about your options.

Be Wary of Caller ID Spoofing:

Scammers can manipulate Caller ID information to disguise their identity. They might make it seem like the call is coming from a local number or a legitimate company. Be cautious, even if the number appears authentic.

Do Not Call Back:

If you miss a call and suspect it might be a scam, do not call back. Scammers often leave voicemails or send texts urging you to call them back, but this is a tactic to get you on the line so they can pitch their scam.

Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always be cautious when giving out personal information over the phone, and if you suspect a scam, hang up and report it to the appropriate authorities.

Frequently asked questions