Beware of Fake IVR Calls! How to Identify and Avoid Fraudulent Calls
Cyber fraud is on the rise, with cases of scam calls happening daily. Many of us know someone who has been tricked by these fraudulent calls. While scammers employ a variety of methods to deceive people, staying alert and informed can help you protect yourself from these scams. Recently, scams involving Interactive Voice Response (IVR) calls have become increasingly common. These calls often play pre-recorded messages designed to sound legitimate, catching unsuspecting victims off guard.
Typically, in these fake IVR calls, a recorded message will claim you have a pending balance on your credit card or that a suspicious transaction has occurred. The message then prompts you to press a specific button, often "2," to dispute the charge. If you fall for this prompt, scammers may begin their attempts to deceive you further.
However, identifying and avoiding these fake calls is possible. Here’s how to recognize them and safeguard yourself:
How to Identify Fake IVR Calls
Check the Caller’s Number Banks usually don’t use regular mobile numbers for official calls. Genuine calls from banks are often from landline numbers with area codes or prefixes like "160" indicating they’re legitimate. Fraudulent IVR calls, on the other hand, often come from regular mobile numbers. If you receive an IVR call from a mobile-like number, be cautious and avoid sharing any personal information.
No Personal Information Requests Banks will never ask for sensitive details like your Aadhar number, PAN card, bank account, or credit card information over a call. If someone on an IVR call requests this information, it’s a major red flag, and you should not provide any details.
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How Scammers Use IVR Calls to Deceive
Scammers often use "voice phishing" tactics to make these calls sound real. The pre-recorded messages play out scenarios that seem authentic, like reminding you about an unpaid loan or recent transaction. If you select a response on the call, such as denying a transaction, the scammer might ask you for personal information like card details to “verify” the transaction. Providing this information could result in your bank account being compromised.
Advanced scammers may even use AI-based voice cloning tools to make their calls sound more legitimate. By mimicking the tone of an official representative, these calls can sound remarkably convincing. AI allows them to respond in real-time, creating a seamless and seemingly authentic experience.
Voice Cloning: A Growing Threat
Voice cloning is a significant challenge as it makes it hard for victims to distinguish between real and fake calls. By simulating the voice of an officer or bank representative, scammers can sound authoritative and convincing. In some cases, they might even mention personal details they’ve gathered through "social engineering" — researching a victim’s information to sound more credible.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake IVR Calls
- Verify the Number Always check the caller’s number and use apps like Truecaller for initial identification. If a call seems suspicious, do not engage or share personal details.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Details Even if you accidentally answer a fake IVR call, refrain from sharing any personal or sensitive information. Remember, banks do not ask for personal details over the phone.
- Do Not Rush into Decisions Scammers often try to create urgency, making you feel pressured. If a caller is attempting to make you act immediately, it’s likely a red flag. Take a moment to think and hang up if necessary.
- Use Official Bank Channels For any banking services, use only verified bank apps or customer service channels. Double-check customer care numbers on the bank’s official website instead of searching online, as scammers may create fake websites with misleading contact information.
- Be Cautious with URLs Pay close attention to website URLs when handling banking transactions online. Scammers may create websites that look almost identical to legitimate bank sites, with minor spelling changes designed to deceive.
Some companies, like Airtel, have developed AI and machine learning-based systems to identify and filter out suspicious calls. These systems label calls as "suspected spam" or "promotional," allowing users to block or disconnect such calls.
By staying vigilant, checking caller information, and refusing to share personal details over unverified calls, you can protect yourself from these fraudulent IVR scams.