Authorities provided tips to avoid becoming a victim of scam

Buena Vista, Virginia – Caller ID spoofing is a frustrating fraud that some of us have certainly experienced it at some point. It occurs when you receive a call from a scammer and the caller ID displays a number other than the scammer’s in an attempt to conceal their identity.

Officials from the town of Buena Vista have provided many suggestions to prevent being a victim, as scammers have a variety of methods for stealing your identity in to get compensation.

If you receive a call from an unknown number, do not answer it. If you do pick up the phone and the person on the other end is not who you anticipated, just hang up.

Simply hang up if a caller urges you to click a button to stop receiving calls.

Never assume an unexpected call is legitimate. Hang up and call back using a number you can verify on a bill, a statement or an official website.

Always be suspicious as scammers may become belligerent or harassing. Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

Never give out personal information to anyone over the phone to someone you do not know. This includes bank account information, Social Security Numbers or passwords, etc.

Use extreme caution if you are pushed into making any sort of immediate payment.

Ask your phone company for call blocking tools or apps.

Report spoofing scams to the FCC and the FTC.