Robocall Cyber Threat Is Growing – Here’s How to Protect Yourself

by | Feb 9, 2025 | Security

Hey everyone,

I know I’ve written about robocall scams before, but I wanted to revisit this topic and give you more details because the threat is getting worse. Scammers are getting more sophisticated, using AI-generated voices and VoIP services to impersonate trusted organizations, including government agencies.

A recent case saw fraudsters posing as an FCC Fraud Prevention Team, calling nearly 1,800 people, including FCC staff and their families, in an attempt to trick them into handing over money. They even convinced one victim to pay $1,000 in Google gift cards—a classic scam tactic. These criminals exploit Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, allowing them to spoof numbers and appear legitimate. The scary part? They’re using AI-generated voices that sound just like real people, making it harder than ever to tell the difference.

Robocall scams aren’t just about stealing money—they’re a serious cybersecurity risk. Scammers use them to trick you into giving away personal details, which can then be used for identity theft, financial fraud, or even hacking your accounts. They might already have your phone number from a past data breach, and now they’re targeting you directly.

Here’s How to Stay Safe:

  1. Use Call Blocking & Screening
    • Turn on call screening and spam call protection on your phone.
    • Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry (though scammers often ignore it).
    • Install apps like Hiya or Nomorobo to block known scam numbers.
  2. Recognize Red Flags
    • If a call demands immediate action or payment, hang up.
    • Government agencies and banks will never call asking for personal info.
    • If in doubt, look up the official contact number and call back yourself.
  3. Never Pay Scammers
    • No legitimate organization will ask for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
    • If someone is pressuring you to act fast, it’s a scam—always take a step back.
  4. Report & Block
    • Report scam calls to your phone carrier and government agencies like the FCC or FTC.
    • If your phone allows manual number blocking, use it to stop repeat offenders.
  5. Secure Your Personal Data
    • Be careful where you share your phone number online.
    • Use services like Have I Been Pwned to check if your data has been leaked.
    • Consider using a virtual phone number for online sign-ups to protect your real number.

If you ever suspect a robocall scam or need help figuring out if a call is real, Incognito can help. We’ve protected millions of people worldwide, and we can help you too. Remember—if something feels off, trust your instincts and hang up.

Stay safe,
Max Roberts