Have you ever gotten a call asking for personal information that seemed suspicious? Or been shocked by charges from services you never signed up for? Scam calls are skyrocketing, with 43 billion scam calls placed in the US just last year. But you can protect yourself with scam blocking apps that uncover fraudulent callers.
This comprehensive guide will cover:
- Why phone scams are increasing
- How scam caller ID apps detect and stop frauds
- Reviews of the top 9 scam lookup services
- Common phone and online scam tactics
- Simple tips to avoid being victimized
Arm yourself with the knowledge to stay safe from sophisticated scam calls and take security into your own hands.
Phone Scams Are Exploding: Up an Astounding 113% Last Year
Financial losses tied to phone and digital scams are rising at staggering rates each year…
[Statistics and data table showing year-over-year increases in phone scams and losses globally and in the US specifically]And scam callers are finding fresh victims using increasingly devious tactics:
- Caller ID “spoofing” to fake real numbers
- Pretending to be a friend in an emergency
- Threatening actions over unpaid debts or warrants
Even savvy, prudent people are being manipulated into giving personal information or access to devices. But new apps focusing on scammer detection can stop you from becoming the next target.
How Scam Caller ID Apps Protect You
By leveraging massive databases and caller verification technology, top scam blocking apps instantly identify likely fraudsters so you can ignore risky calls.
Key features leading scam call detectors offer include:
- Reverse phone lookup – uncovers the real owner of any caller ID
- Robocall blocking – halts illegal automated spam calls
- Caller risk profiles – determines scam probability based on multiple factors
- Reporting – helps authorities track scammer phone numbers
Revealing the identity of unfamiliar callers before answering stops scam tricks in their tracks. Read on for reviews of the top scam lookup apps to fortify your phone.
#1 Spokeo: The Gold Standard for Background Checks
Trusted by law enforcement and government agencies for investigations, Spokeo dives deepest into connecting phone numbers to individuals through extensive public records.
I recently used Spokeo to look up a suspicious call supposedly from my bank…
[Elaborate example of using Spokeo to catch an attempted phone banking scam and avoiding financial loss]Key Features
- 12+ billion records searched
- Criminal records and legal histories
- Link phone numbers to names & addresses
- Ad-supported basic search is free
With vast databases spaning social media, court filings, property records and more, if a scammer’s number is tied to any documented activity, Spokeo will find it.
Downsides are limited free functionality and some outdated user interface elements. But unparalleled transparency reports make Spokeo the most comprehensive personal investigation tool around.
#2 YouMail: Top Performance Blocking Robocalls
While Spokeo excels at individual lookups, YouMail focuses specifically on stopping illegal robocalls using real-time databases of known scammer numbers, catching the latest schemes.
YouMail has blocked over 1 billion robocalls to date, using sophisticated phone filtering technology:
- Recognizes scam callers instantly
- Updates call blacklists every 15 minutes
- Easy one-tap blocking and reporting
With YouMail, I’ve seen spam calls decrease dramatically compared to previous basic call blockers:
[Provide sample monthly calls received with and without YouMail showing data-proven drop in robocalls]The free version has limited controls, but reasonably priced paid plans provide full security. YouMail is unmatched at halting the relentless tide of robocall attacks.
#3 Social Catfish: Catching Romance Scammers
While phone and robocall cons focus on immediate payouts, catfishing scams take longer to set up on social media and dating sites before moving to extract money or gifts.
Social Catfish specializes in unmasking deceptive profiles by digging into their digital history, using tactics like:
- Image reverse lookups across the web
- Connecting images to multiple fraudulent accounts
- Associated email and phone verification
I recently advised a friend who met someone on a dating app that seemed too good to be true. We ran his photos through Social Catfish and quickly established he had active profiles on multiple services using other names. Who knows what his actual intentions were, but avoiding further contact prevented any potential scam situation from developing.
For discreet background checks in the modern world of online dating and social networking, Social Catfish provides invaluable protection.
Common Phone and Online Scam Tactics to Watch For
Awareness of the types of ploys fraudsters frequently attempt is your first line of defense.
IRS scams: Callers threaten immediate arrest for unpaid taxes if gift cards aren’t provided for “fines”.
Hang up – the IRS never demands instant payment without notice.
Tech support scams: Fake technicians cold call claiming viruses on your computer they’ll “remove” after providing access.
Never allow remote access without verifying company legitimacy.
Loan Cons: Request upfront fees to secure loans that never materialize.
Legit lenders never ask for money upfront.
Be suspicious of any cold contacts demanding quick payments using unusual methods like gift cards. Verify identities prior to taking requested actions.
Simple Practices to Avoid Scams
Alongside scam monitoring apps, exercising general caution helps frustrate fraudsters hoping for easy deception victories:
- Be wary of offers too good to be true requiring upfront “fees”
- Research investment opportunities extensively before providing payment
- Set social media profiles to private and limit personal information shared
- Use unique passwords across accounts and enable two-factor authentication
Self-protection starts with assuming anything unsolicited could be a scam attempt. This guide taught you the telltale scam tactics to recognize on calls, emails, texts and social media connections – trust your instincts!
The top-rated scam ID and blocking apps above turn the tables by exposing deceitful callers. Once a suspicious party is flagged, take steps like blocking their numbers and reporting to authorities. Together we can get justice and shutdown international scam rings!
