Fake Calls

Fraudsters can call you and pretend to be a real company or a government agency.  They use software to make the caller ID disguise their identity.  The goal is for you to answer the call, and they then give you a convincing story to get your card, account, or personal information.  

For example, you might receive a call from us claiming that your WEPCO account was compromised and locked down.  The caller needs you to supply your personal information, including address, Social Security Number, and birthdate, to confirm your identity and unlock your account.  If you provide this information, the fraudster can use your information to open new accounts or loans in your name!  Meanwhile, your WEPCO account was never at risk.

Protecting Yourself

Follow these guidelines for preventing or detecting fake calls:

  • Never answer unknown calls.  If it’s urgent, they’ll leave a voicemail.
  • If the caller gives you the choice to stop future calls, hang up anyway.  If you answer, fraudsters know they have a good number and may target you in the future.
  • Never give out your personal information or passwords in response to an unknown or unusual call.
  • If you get a call from someone who claims to be from a company you know or government agency, hang up.  Contact the company or agency through an official phone number to confirm if the call is real.
  • Create a passcode for your voicemail.  Some voicemails can be accessed if you call in from your own number.  Without a passcode, a fraudster could call your number and get your voicemails.
  • Add your phone number to any available Do Not Call lists or spam reporting services.  These services can reduce the number of calls that reach your phone.
  • Report and block these numbers as spam on your phone.
  • Check for other services offered through phone carrier or app store.  Visit the CTIA website for more details.

If You Become a Victim

Fraudsters may use your phone number to pretend to be you or someone else, trying to trick others.  In case this happens to you:

  1. If you gave out account information, contact your bank or credit union at once to limit your losses.
  2. File a complaint with the local police, FCC, and FTC.
  3. Notify the company that the call seemingly came from.  The company may send an alert out to others about the scam.
  4. Monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
  5. Fraudsters may use your phone number to pretend to be you or someone else, trying to trick others.  Create a new voicemail message explaining that you did not make the call and to report it.

Watch the following video from the FCC about this tactic, which is known as “spoofing:”