Study says scam phone calls are likely to rise in April

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub |
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published April 4, 2019 — 11 a.m. EST

Everyday, thousands of consumers are annoyed with unsolicited robocalls on their cell phones and landlines.

Unfortunately for all of us, a new study says that the scam phone calls area likely to rise in the coming weeks.

According to AllAreaCodes.com — an on-line resource that says it helps consumers find information about area codes — the weeks leading up to April 15 are a peak season for robocallers.

The website says it analyzed over 15 million consumer complaints to the US Federal Trade Commission and found that in the last three years, complaints increased during the March and April tax season.

AllAreaCodes.com says the FTC publishes daily and monthly data on the number of complaints consumers submit about telemarketers violating do not call rules.

(Image: AllAreaCodes.com)

They found that during the third week in April, the average daily complaints are 10% higher than the last week of March and more than five times the January daily average.

It is estimated that nuisance and scam calls are continuing to increase and will account for one-third of all incoming calls in 2019.

While multiple sources show an increase in scam calls, the FTC, according to AllAreaCodes.com, shows fewer complaints in 2018 than 2017. This could be an indication that consumers may be loosing faith in the government agency’s ability to fight scammers.

Instead, consumers may be turning to call screening services provided by the telecom companies.

Consumers should be vigilant during tax season scam calls.

The IRS has stated that they will not call consumers to demand immediate payment for taxes.

Additionally, they will not call without first sending a bill in the mail, they will not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone, and they will not threaten with the police or lawsuits.

The IRS urges consumers that if they suspect a call is a scam, hang up immediately without giving out any personal information and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.