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October 4th, 2023
What is a VoIP Number?
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone number is an assigned number that comes with your VoIP application or website registration. This unique number enables you to send texts or make calls, and others can contact you using the same number. This number functions similarly to a regular phone number, but instead of being connected to your device, it is connected to the app or website you use to place calls or send messages. You can log in to the VoIP website or app from any device, at any time you wish.
How to Get a VoIP Number
A VoIP service provider website will help you get a VOIP number once you sign up for their services. Sometimes it’s free, other times you will have to pay for a membership depending on the website. These membership plans are usually cheaper than having an actual cell phone bill, which is why some people use VoIP numbers as their only phone number. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you are able to transfer your actual phone number to a VoIP service if you really wanted to by porting your phone number. VOIP Numbers can be used to scam people, cheat on people, or hide someone’s identity.
Examples of VoIP Number Services:
- Nextiva
- TextNow
- RingCentral
- Ooma
- Grasshopper
Why Do Scammers Use VoIP Numbers?
A scammer can choose whatever area code they want to when getting a VoIP number assigned to them. Because of this, they can lie about where they are from or where they are living based on the chosen area code they have given to themselves. Their name is also not tied down to the phone number, making it extremely difficult for anyone to trace their number to see who is actually contacting them. Because of this, they can pretend to be anyone they want to be without anyone tracing them back to who they actually are, and especially target those who have been divorced.
How do Scammers Use VoIP Numbers to Scam You?
Scammers can pretend to be your bank, a business, the government, or any other important figure that can scare you into giving them money. They can pretend that you are going to jail, pretend to sell something, or pretend that your bank account has been hacked just to get their hands on your financial or your personal information.
Once they get their hands on the information they want, they hang up on you and block you so that you have no way of getting back in contact with them. There is also no way to trace them with no name or a fake name attached to their VoIP number. They can then commit identity fraud and steal your money with your information.
How to Avoid VoIP Number Scams
- Don’t give anyone your personal information for any reason.
- Don’t give anyone your financial information for any reason.
- Don’t answer calls or texts from unfamiliar numbers.
- Be wary if a random business is calling you to sell something, and do your research.
- The government will not call you if you are breaking the law, if this threat happens hang up immediately.
- If your bank randomly calls you, hang up and call them back using their official number.
Social Catfish is Here to Help You!
At Social Catfish, we want to help you verify the identities of those who might seem suspicious to you. If you have their name, email address, phone number, social media username, or image, you can reverse search and see who the suspected person was that you’ve been in contact with if you think you’ve been a victim of VoIP number scams.
