Anatomy of a Scam Call

Scam calls are an ever-growing problem, plaguing both individuals and businesses alike. They can significantly damage a company's brand reputation and consumer trust. In this blog, we delve deeper into the anatomy of a scam call, highlighting their impact on large brands and the ways in which YouMailPS can help your company combat these malicious communications, such as robocalls and brand fraud.

In this article, we cover:

• What is a Scam Call and Who Makes Them
• Elements of a Scam Call
• Scam Calls and Your Brand

What Is A Scam Call An Who Makes Them?

Scam calls, including robocalls, are fraudulent communications designed to deceive and exploit the person on the other end of the line. They often involve phishing or vishing, where scammers pose as legitimate companies — often major brands — to gather sensitive information, or even commit direct fraud, such as threatening service termination unless a payment is made immediately. Brand fraud occurs when scammers use a company's name and reputation for their illegal activities.

Fraudulent actors behind these scam calls range from small, independent criminals to large, organized groups. These calls can be grouped into categories such as financial scams, government impostor scams, tech support scams, and more. According to the Federal Communications Commission, auto warranty scams were the top robocall complaint, followed by computer tech support calls, credit repair scam calls, credit card rate reduction calls, and health insurance scam calls. As technology advances, so do the tactics employed by scammers, making it increasingly difficult for individuals and businesses to differentiate between legitimate calls and scams.

Elements Of A Scam Call

Scam calls, particularly robocalls, typically consist of several elements that work together to deceive the target and perpetrate brand fraud:

1. Spoofed number: Scammers often use technology to mask their true phone number, making it appear as if the call is coming from a legitimate company or even a local number.
2. Use of company name: Fraudsters will claim to represent a well-known brand to gain the target's trust. They may research the company extensively to sound more convincing and commit brand fraud.
3. Caller information: Scammers may possess a target's phone number, name, or other personal information to make the call seem more credible. They can obtain this data through data breaches or social media research. It’s relatively simple to purchase a list of phone numbers with names in the dark corners of the internet.
4. Call center: Scam calls and robocalls often originate from call centers, sometimes located in foreign countries. These centers can house dozens or even hundreds of scammers working simultaneously to target unsuspecting victims.
5. Robocalling equipment: Fraudsters use technology to generate and initiate calls on a large scale. This allows them to target vast numbers of potential victims in a short period, increasing the prevalence of scam calls. Just one pair of scammers made over 1 billion calls, for example.
6. Script: Scammers follow carefully crafted scripts to deceive and manipulate their targets. These scripts often include elements of social engineering to exploit human vulnerabilities.
7. Social engineering: Fraudsters use psychological tactics to exploit human vulnerabilities, such as fear, urgency, or empathy. By preying on these emotions, scammers can more effectively manipulate their targets into complying with their demands.
8. Payment processors, managers, and underground banking: Scam call operations often have an organizational structure and support network that enable the fraud to continue. These networks provide the resources and infrastructure necessary to facilitate scams, launder money, and evade law enforcement.

Scam Calls And Your Brand 

Scam calls, including robocalls, can severely damage a brand's reputation, as they erode customer trust and create a negative association with the company's name. Brand fraud is a serious issue that businesses must address. To combat this problem, brands can turn

to service providers like YouMailPS, which offer solutions to identify and stop scam calls and robocalls, and assist with legal action against brand fraud.

YouMailPS's innovative technology helps protect companies from imposter traffic and provides robocall mitigation services for communication service providers (CSPs). By leveraging this expertise, businesses can safeguard their brand identity and prevent brand impersonation.

Additionally, YouMailPS's solutions can assist with call monitoring and analysis, allowing your company to stay ahead of scammers by detecting new trends and tactics in real-time. With continuous updates and improvements to their technology, YouMailPS ensures that your brand remains protected against the evolving landscape of scam calls and brand fraud.

The alarming rise of scam calls, including robocalls, poses a serious threat to large brands, but understanding their anatomy and working with a trusted partner like YouMailPS can help protect your company's reputation. Stop Brand Impersonators. Learn how to protect your business identity and stop brand impersonation. Download our free eBook “Don't Let Imposters Damage Your Brand” now >