While technology has positively inspired all aspects of the modern world, it has brought about certain limitations and shortcomings. This has led to significant progress in multiple fields, including education, healthcare, the medicinal domain, businesses, and personal lives. The immeasurable influence is commendable, and territories are now being replaced with new aspects of technology that are rendering intensity in terms of efficiency. Replacement and renewal at a fast speed ensure our lives’ betterment, and we are dependent on the digital world of gadgets and state-of-the-art gizmos.
However, despite the never-ending list of technological advancements and their benefits, there is an excessive dependency on the digital concept. Cell phones are a necessity rather than a luxury; email and social media usage have doubled since their inception. The FOMO associated with them is opening up a new domain of anxieties. This verifies that technological innovations are beneficial but to a limited extent. Technology is promoted and advertised in a way that presents it as necessary and consistent.
Regardless, the downsides and the adverse impact observed in people have made life short and disturbing. The common drawbacks of technological advancement include isolation and total addiction, the lack of human resources, the adverse effect on student affairs, and the growing risk of weapons of mass destruction. Other than that, the Internet, a branch of technology, has brought millions of people together on a single platform but has also given rise to online fraud and scams that have entangled users worldwide.
A technological call scam is related to any telephonic activity in which scammers and impostors execute fake calls and indulge in other fraudulent activity presented through technology. Because of this, receivers should be mindful of the quality of calls they receive. This can also be easily distinguishable through area or country code, as some codes indicate potential danger and scam-based activity upon receiving the call.
Since we live in a highly modernized and digital age, it is a good idea to be familiar with the current technological jargon, constant technological updates, and activities awaiting our lives. To avoid being engulfed in scam phone numbers, specific area codes and phone numbers help you identify the risky digits you should avoid. Some of these phone numbers are directly associated with potential danger and risk that could contribute to other snowballing factors and expose you to a list of identified criminal clubs and individuals. Therefore, to remain cautious and understand the safety protocols, you should be familiar with the basics of fraud-based activities and the ideas often used by criminals.
Let us see standard phone area codes that people usually do not recognize in the US:
Where is area code 833?
Area code 833 does not belong to any US State. It is used by US toll-free phone numbers. Be careful because toll-free number charges are usually paid for by the party who is called instead of the caller.
Where is area code 786?
Area code 786 represents an area code that is not a toll-free number, and the area is located in southern Florida. Area code 786 covers Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Miami Beach, Kendall, and Homestead.
What area code is 720?
Area code 720 is a non-toll-free number. It is located in central Colorado and covers Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, and Centennial.
Where is area code 866?
Area code 866 does not belong to any US State. The toll-free phone numbers use area code 866. Be careful because toll-free number charges are usually paid for by the party who is called instead of the caller. Code 866 is assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Where is area code 346?
Area code 346 represents an area code that is not a toll-free number, and the area is located in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas.
Please see the complete list of all area codes in this article below.
What are Robocalls?
Robocalls are pre-recorded messages delivered through auto-dialing apps or software to rip off others. These calls are identified through recorded messages whenever you connect a call. Instead of a natural live person conversing, these calls always consist of recorded messages or automated responses. However, some Robocalls are informative and helpful, providing essential information regarding upcoming appointments or other reminders, whereas some are scams. Therefore, they are a nuisance and a waste of time.
Regarding legality, the laws fluctuate according to the restrictions, so finding the legal status based on your residence is better. For example, in the US, Robocalls are permitted if they consist of insightful messages, reminders, messages from charitable organizations, calls from debt collection authorities, and healthcare providers.
Below mentioned are some of the common scams and threats used by scammers.
Traffic pumping
It is also defined as access stimulation, where some scammers try to increase the volume of incoming calls to a particular network for a telephonic career. The primary aim of this concept is to make maximum profit and gain intercarrier compensation as per the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Maximum traffic is pumped to the network to acquire high access fees. Different telephonic companies and carriers handle long-distance calls. The local company dials from your phone to the company dealing with long-distance calls, delivering your call to the destination.
As per the recent amendments in the statute, long-distance carriers are expected to submit an access charge directly to the local page or network responsible for connecting the call to the destination. Traffic pumping is observed, and then the local network allotted with high access fees makes an informal setup with another carrier dealing with a high volume of calls such as chatlines, entertainment, or conference calls. This arrangement then distributes many calls within the local network service area. The open network eventually receives monetary compensation from the access charge because of highly inflated access revenues in response to the free service providers. This concept is highly detrimental to the customers. This also created a scuffle between the local and international networks, cleared out through the formal process.
You can indicate traffic pumping if you receive extra charges applied to make a call out of the service area. The basic deal is that federal authorities permit local networks to define access fees for long-distance calls. This, in turn, inflates the call volume into the local area codes. When call volume surges, local companies can charge long-distance companies a lot of money and kick back to the chat lines. Some of the standard area codes responsible for generating traffic pumping are commonly located in the Midwestern part’s rural areas. Performing area codes outlined for generating traffic pumping are
712 area code for Western Iowa and 218 area code for northern Minnesota
The one-ring scam
More so than not, some consumers receive a single call that automatically ends itself. When this happens, the owners or the consumers should be aware of another phone scam known as the One Ring scam. Mostly, the consumers are unaware of the number through which a call has been received. These calls are received from three digits with the United States area codes. However, some scammers use international codes or numbers from different regions to scam with three-digit regulations. This is known as a spoofing technique where the ID display is concealed. The risk begins when the receiver accepts the call, especially if the number is outside the United States. If this happens, former receivers are heavily charged per minute after connecting a call. These charges are highlighted on your receipt under the name premium services, international or auto calling.
In addition, some scammers also enter voicemail messages, encouraging them to call back again. These messages are acquired through an unnoticed and unrecognized area code that reaches the receiver and appears natural. Scams performed through Robocalling technology place Internet calls by cooks. The receiver decides to call the missed number again; then they are subjected to pay $15-$30 for international fees charges for a
Minute.
The robocalling technology taken on by the crooks allows them to make Internet calls with the help of only a single ring. The Robo callers are experts in disconnecting the line after it has been connected on the other side. These running scam codes are located in the Caribbean, and as per the Federal Trade Commission, you should never call numbers from the following area codes:
• 268 area code – Antigua and Barbuda
• 284 area code – British Virgin Islands
• 473 area code – Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique
• 664 area code – Montserrat
• 649 area code – Turks and Caicos Islands
• 767 area code – Commonwealth of Dominica
• 809, 829, 849 area codes – Dominican Republic
• 876 area code – Jamaica
If you come across an unrecognized or unknown number, it is better to let it go straight to voicemail to mitigate the risk and determine if it is a legitimate call or not. You can also help the search engine see if the number is outlined as a scam. The Internet is always full of sound and helpful reviews, so you might as well get help from other experiences.
How to stop robocalls?
The only way to avoid these fraudulent calls is never to pick up calls from unrecognizable area codes. Instead, you can block the automated responses on iPhone and iOS devices. With this technology, users can forward these calls directly to voicemail and stop the number by going to recent on-call logs and highlighting the number they wish to block. Then, you can go to the information and press on the block of this caller.
Types of fraud calls
Types of spam calls include:
- 1. Spoofing call: Users receive a call that appears to be from a local area, a number of a recognized establishment, or a company. This is a perfect way to convince the receivers, as they are more likely to pick up if they know it is a well-known source.
2. IRS scam calls: Scammers and criminals pretend to be from the government and call to encourage you to pay tax bills and take social security numbers and other personal credentials. They make it sound legitimate by utilizing the badge numbers and titles from the IRS. - 3. Charity fraud: Fake charity establishments and organizations often make calls asking for donations. This money is not for charitable table purposes; it is a scam to loot money from people.
- 4. Loan scams: you may also get calls to acquire personal details and credentials regarding your bank account number and credit card. They often target people who have a history of bad credit scores, making them vulnerable to getting tangled in the scheme
- 5. Drivers-related calls: Some calls highlight details about low-cost destinations within a highly affordable package. They con people by asking for advance money or even credit card details.
US Area Code Table
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