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Question: With all the new technology, I can’t believe they can’t block more robocalls. Auwe!
Answer: Your comment is timely. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed new rules to make it easier for phone carriers to block illegal robocalls, especially fraudulent “spoof” calls that show up as a trusted number on the recipient’s caller ID. A preliminary vote on the new rules is scheduled for March 23. You can read the proposed rules at 808ne.ws/FCCrobo.
U.S. consumers as a whole received nearly 29 billion robocalls in 2016, according to the FCC, and they are a top source of consumer complaints received by the agency.
Speaking of spoofs …
Fraud alert
Scammers are spoofing the phone number of a federal fraud hotline to trick people into revealing valuable personal information. The con artists claim to work for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and alter the appearance on caller ID to make it seem as if the call is coming from the HHS OIG hotline, 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
That number is legitimately used only for incoming calls, as a tip line to combat fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid and more than 100 other HHS programs.
The scam has targeted individuals nationwide, with perpetrators using “various tactics to obtain or verify the victim’s personal information, which can then be used to steal money from an individual’s bank account or for other fraudulent activity,” according to a statement from HHS OIG.
You can find more information about the scam at 808ne.ws/hhsoigscam. To summarize:
>> HHS OIG does not use the hotline to make outgoing calls. Individuals should not answer calls purported to be from 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Such calls are not actually from that number, which is being “spoofed.”
>> It remains safe to call the hotline to report suspected fraud, waste and abuse in HHS programs, or to report being a victim of this scam.
>> Rather than calling the hotline, victims may choose to report via email, to spoof@oig.hhs.gov. Individuals may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).
>> In your complaint, be sure to include the date, time and telephone number to which you received the scam call, and any other details you remember about the caller.
>> In general, do not provide any personal information to unknown individuals who contact you by phone or email. Don’t verify your name, and don’t give out your Social Security number, date of birth, credit card information, driver’s license number, bank account information or mother’s maiden name.
Q: I appreciate the fraud alerts you print, but I have a question. What if it’s my credit card company that’s calling, or says it is?
A: Politely say that you will call the company directly, and hang up. Then immediately call the number on the back of your credit card — not whatever number the caller gave you. A few minutes waiting on hold (likely when you make the call) are worth it to avoid a potential scam.
Mahalo
A heartfelt thank-you to three ladies who came to the aid of my husband Jan. 31 at Kunia Walmart. He had a stroke, and one them caught him before he fell and the other two went to seek help. They told me their names, but much to my regret, I can’t remember them. The paramedics’ response was just minutes after a call to 911. They took him to The Queen’s Medical Center-West ER and then later to Queen’s at Punchbowl. He had excellent care at both facilities. We are thankful for them all. — Mahalo from a senior husband and wife
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
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