What is Scam Likely & Why Are They Calling Me? [2024]
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon- "Scam Likely" is a label displayed on phone calls by network providers as a warning to users that the incoming call might be from a suspicious or scammy source.
- While this tool is beneficial, it can sometimes mislabel genuine calls as scams, so it's always a good practice to double-check missed calls that carry this label.
- On iOS, activate "Silence Unknown Callers" in the Phone settings; on Android, in the Google Phone app, enable "Caller ID and Spam" to protect yourself against scam calls.
Have you ever wondered why some unknown numbers that call your phone come with labels like scam risk or Scam Likely? One of the advancements of telephone technology is the caller ID display. This feature has transformed the way we answer our phones.
No longer do we have to accept calls from unrecognizable numbers blindly. Now, our phones often give us a hint if a call might be suspicious. So, what does this hint really signify? And how should you respond when you see it?
Understanding these labels is crucial for our safety with the rise of unwanted calls and potential scams. This guide will talk about the importance and meaning of these warnings.
Table of Contents:
What is Scam Likely?
When you see a Scam Likely on your phone when you receive a call, it’s a special message for people from their network providers. Think of it as a friendly warning from a tool that helps stop sneaky calls from bothering you.
Many mobile service providers give this helpful feature to everyone without them having to do anything. So, you don’t need to change any settings to see this message. These companies have an extensive list of tricky numbers known for making scam calls.
When someone from that list tries to call you, the network spots it and shows you the Scam Likely message. These tricky calls could be from people pretending to be from the government, asking for gift cards, or even those automated robot calls we all don’t like.
Read More: How to Block Restricted Calls on Android & iPhone Easily
Why does Scam Likely appear on your phone?
Scam Likely is like a friendly warning from your phone. A few years ago. Some smart people at the FCC-made rules called STIR and SHAKEN to help protect people from scammy phone calls. T-Mobile started using these rules in 2018 to check calls and see if they might be scams.
So, when you see Scam Likely on an incoming call, your phone says, be careful. This might be a sneaky call. But remember, even with this helpful hint, sometimes the phone can make mistakes. A good call might get labeled as a scam.
If you missed an important call from someone not saved in your contacts, it’s good to look in your spam call history to see who tried to reach you. It’s always best to double-check because sometimes genuine calls can get mixed up with the not-so-good ones.
Types of Scam Likely calls
Unwelcome and frequently fraudulent scam calls can be of several different types:
1. Telemarketing
These are calls where people try to sell you products, like books or gadgets. Some can be quite winning, influential stories that sound too good to be true. They sometimes try to trick you into buying something by giving offers that many can’t resist (FOMO). Many people were scammed by these calls by paying money for a faulty product or mistakenly giving them their financial information.
2. Legal robocalls
These are automated messages that play when you pick up. Some are about leaders wanting your vote, reminders about bills, or organizations asking for donations. They’re allowed by rules, but like hearing the same song daily, they can become tiring.
3. Illegal robocalls
Here, you have robotic calls that don’t play by the rules. They spread over stories of fantastic deals or offers. In 2022, the biggest robocall scammers in history, Cox/Jones Enterprises, were caught. They had to pay a $300 million fine because they made many dishonest calls about cars.
Can I trust Scam Likely calls?
Answering one of these calls, be super careful. Most of the time, these calls are from people trying to trick you. So, don’t tell them your secrets and personal information if you talk to them. If a call feels strange or you don’t know the number, it’s okay not to answer.
If it is someone you know or if it is important, they’ll leave a message for you. Some tricky callers try to get you to share data by talking stealthily. You can say goodbye and hang up if you feel weird talking to them. It’s always good to stay safe on the phone.
How to avoid Scam Likely calls?
Bigger phone companies like AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others have ways to spot Scam Likely calls. They check if the calling number is on their tricky number list. Also, there’s a setting on your phone to block calls from unknown numbers. This way, only people you know can call you. Here’s how to do it:
On iPhone:
- Open Settings app on our iPhone.
Open Settings - Look for the Phone option and tap on it.
Tap Phone - Tap on “Silence Unknown Callers“
Tap Silence Unknown Callers - Turn the toggle on (green) to allow your mobile to block spam calls.
Tap on Toggle
On Android:
To configure the following settings on an Android device, you need to have Google Phone app on your device. Once you have it, here’s how to get notified of spam calls:
- Open the “Phone” app and tap on the 3-dots at the top right.
Tap on 3 dots - Choose “Settings.”
Tap Settings - Find “Caller ID and Spam“
Tap Caller ID and Spam” - Then turn on the toggle.
Tap the Toggle
How to block Scam Likely calls with your network provider?
Blocking scam calls is easier with tools provided by your network. Service providers offer unique features or apps to keep those spammy calls away.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile has a label called Scam Likely. They also have an app called ScamShield that helps manage and tell you about scam calls. The app is available for both iOS and Android users. If you don’t want the app, just dial #662# on your phone to stop scam calls.
2. AT&T
AT&T uses the AT&T ActiveArmor app to help stop scam calls and keep Wi-Fi safe. They claim to stop about 10 million scam calls every day. Also, If you get a call you don’t like, dial *61# after the call to block it.
3. Verizon
Verizon has an app called Call Filter that helps with basic scam call protection. Available on both iOS and Android devices. If you want more features, there’s Call Filter Plus, which costs $3.99 monthly. You can also dial *57# to seek help from Verizon for handling spam calls.
Final Thoughts
In our modern digital landscape, the safety and security of our personal information have never been more crucial. While advancements like the “Scam Likely” label have empowered us to identify and avoid potential threats, it’s essential to remember that technology is ever-evolving, and so are the tactics of scammers.
By staying informed, vigilant, and utilizing the tools and resources at our disposal, we can better protect ourselves from unwanted calls and potential scams. As we embrace the conveniences of today’s communication technologies, let’s also prioritize our safety, ensuring that our phone experiences remain peaceful and secure.
FAQs - Scam Likely
Con artists may have acquired your phone number. There are numerous methods for scammers to obtain your phone number and other personal information, including legally through data brokers and illegally through the sale of stolen data on the dark web. This can be the reason you are getting Spam Likely calls.
Phone companies check calls to keep us safe. They want to stop calls from people trying to trick us or sell things we don’t want. They make sure the call is real and not from a made-up number.
When you see Scam Likely, the phone company thinks that number might be spam or trying to trick their users. That is why they label such numbers as “Scam Likely” to tell you that it could be a scam or trick.
Most of these calls are not good, but sometimes the phone company can make mistakes. So, some real calls might look like scams by accident and get labeled as Scam Likely.
Yes, you can. Phone companies let you turn this off. But if you do, you might get more calls you don’t want.
You can call back if you know the number or get a real voicemail. Remember to report the mistake to your carrier to help improve the system.
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon
