Consumers may be tempted to ignore a call from an out-of-town or unknown number, so scammers have switched tactics.

Who Is It Targeting: Local phone users

What Is It: A spoofed phone number that looks like it’s from your area

What Are They After: If you see a phone number on your caller ID from a blocked number, unknown number, or far-off city where you don’t know anyone, you might just let it ring. So scammers have a new trick: spoofing a phone number, which means using a string of number that looks like it’s right in your town, hoping you’ll be duped into answering the phone.

How Can You Avoid It:

• Even if the number looks local, there’s no requirement to answer it.
• If you do answer and you’re directed to press buttons on your touchpad, supply personal information, or send a payment, hang up.
• Never supply money or information to someone who contacts you…they should already know who they’re talking to.

If you think you may be a victim of identity theft, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for toll-free, no-cost assistance at (888) 400-5530. Find more information about current scams and alerts here. For full details of this scam check out this article from TaosNews.com.