Quick Answers
There are a few common reasons why you may have received a call from Russia:
- Robocall scam – Robocalls use autodialers to make large volumes of phone calls, often from overseas numbers, in an attempt to scam recipients. Many robocalls originate from Russia.
- Wrong number – It could simply be that someone in Russia dialed your number by mistake.
- Family or friends – If you have family or friends living in or visiting Russia, they may have tried to call you.
- Business call – If you conduct business internationally, it may have been a legitimate business call from a Russian company or colleague.
- Former contact – Someone you previously had a relationship with and who now lives in Russia may have tried to reach you.
Examining the Details of the Call
To better understand the context of the call from Russia, here are some key details to review:
- Number – Look at the full phone number that called you. If it was a robocall scam, the number may appear as all digits or have a different country code.
- Time – Note the time of day you received the call. Scam robocallers often operate at odd hours.
- Frequency – Check if it’s a one-off call or if you’ve received multiple calls from this number.
- Voice – Think about whether the call had a prerecorded voice, pause/clicks or strange background noise, which could indicate a robocall.
- Language – Determine the language used by the caller, which could help identify if it was a wrong number or targeted scam.
- Questions asked – Scammers often ask for personal information or money. Take note if the caller asked for anything suspicious.
Taking the time to analyze these details can provide clues into the true source and intention of the call from Russia.
Common Robocall Scams from Russia
If you suspect the Russian call was a robocall scam, here are some of the most frequent types:
Tax Scams
The caller claims to be from the IRS or another tax authority and says you owe back taxes or fees. They threaten penalties or arrest if immediate payment isn’t made. However, real tax authorities do not make initial calls demanding payment.
Tech Support Scams
The caller says they are from a tech company like Microsoft or Apple and claims your computer has a virus. They instruct you to download software or give them remote access to supposedly fix the issue when really they just want to install malware and access your data.
Loan/Debt Scams
The caller promises to consolidate your loans or credit cards to a lower interest rate or totally forgive a supposed debt. To proceed, you need to validate personal account numbers or make an upfront “good faith” payment, which they pocket.
Sweepstakes Scams
You are told you’ve won a contest, lottery or sweepstakes. But first you must pay fees or taxes to collect your supposed prize, which you’ll never see. Variations include gift cards winners, bank account verification or customs clearance charges.
How to Avoid Robocall Scams
Here are some tips to protect yourself from Russian robocall scams:
- Never provide personal information like social security numbers over the phone.
- Don’t call back numbers you don’t recognize, which can verify your number is active.
- Hang up immediately on suspicious autodialed calls.
- Use call screening/blocking tools offered by your phone provider.
- Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce telemarketing calls.
- Ask to be placed on a company’s internal Do Not Call list if they claim to be legitimate.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
What to Do if You Already Paid a Scammer
If you already fell victim and made a payment to a Russian robocall scam, take these steps right away:
- Contact your bank and request to stop any pending transfers.
- Change online account passwords that may have been compromised.
- Call your phone provider to block the scammer’s number.
- Update your antivirus software and run a scan to check for malware.
- Notify your local police department to file an official report.
- Report the scam call to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Check your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
Moving quickly can help limit the damage from any personal data or funds lost to a Russian robocall scam. In the future, remember these scammers prey on fear and urgency to exploit victims. Stay calm, do not engage, gather information and seek help to avoid becoming a victim of these international phone scams.
Conclusion
Receiving a call from Russia can admittedly seem strange and concerning at first. However, don’t immediately assume the worst. Carefully analyze the call details, be wary of any suspicious requests for information or money and never rush into a decision. With caution, common sense and help from reporting agencies, you can protect yourself and avoid falling prey to frequent robocall scams from Russian numbers. Remember, no legitimate authority will demand immediate payment or personal data over an unexpected call. If you’ve been impacted by an international phone scam, take steps to limit damages right away, report it to authorities and learn from the experience how to identify the tactics these robocall operations use to try to take advantage of unsuspecting targets.