Be Better: Cell Phone Scams

better at staying away from scammers-- and we're not just talking about older americans. although 44- percent of wireless customers have reported that they have received mobile spam-- fraud is the highest among 35 to 44 year olds-- costing americans two- billion- dollars a year in unauthorized charges. and they're doing it by using your phone. (Ringing) (:02) the average cell phone user gets eight calls a day-- but the person on the other end may not be who you think. the first scam comes straight from jail! (Jail door closing) if an inmate calls collect and tricks you into dialing a number that starts with star-72... it will activate call forwarding. that gives them full control to rack up on long distance and 900-numbers. if you're unsure-- don't dial star-72-- 72-pound -- or 90- pound. next-- the federal reserve will not pay your utility bills. scammers will call and ask for your social... then provide you with a fake bank routing number -- allowing them to get your personal info and your cash! finally-- watch out for texts claiming to send you a free gift card. if you click the link and offer your personal info-- they can steal your identity! so-- the next time your phone rings think twice about answering. nearly 70-percent of spam "text messages" are scams. some tips to help you avoid spam xts are: report the spam to your cell phone company-- by copying the text and sending it to spam or 7-2-6. . this service is available for at&t ... t-mobile ... and verizon customers. also-- download spam-blocking apps for your android device -- such as mr. number... or call blocker. at&t members can pay a small fee -- to subscribe to the smart limits for wireless program which helps customers selectively control text messages. customers can block up to 30 numbers -- and designate how many text messages can be sent. and sprint customers can text commands to 9-- and block all messages from specific e-mail addresses... senders who use numeric short codes... and particular internet domains. flu season is hitting