Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. Recently, we’ve identified a new type of scam where criminals are spoofing phone numbers to impersonate companies. These malicious individuals aim to trick members into sharing sensitive information or making payments to them under false pretenses. Read along to learn how this scam operates, what signs to look for, and how you can protect yourself.
Spoofing Defined
Spoofing is a deceptive practice where criminals manipulate communication to appear as though it is coming from a trusted source. This often involves falsifying phone numbers, email addresses, or other identifiers to disguise their true identity. The goal of spoofing is to trick individuals into believing the communication is legitimate, thereby gaining their trust.
Recently, a new type of scam has emerged where criminals use phone spoofing to impersonate legitimate companies. By manipulating caller ID, these scammers make it appear as though their call is coming from a trusted business or organization. These bad actors often attempt to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive personal or financial information, such as passwords, bank details, or social security numbers. In other cases, they pressure people into making payments under false pretenses, claiming urgent issues like unpaid bills or account security breaches.
Example of a Spoofing Scam
An individual recently received a phone call from someone pretending to be an employee of a well-known and trusted company. To make the deception more convincing, the scammer used number spoofing technology to falsify the caller ID, making it appear as though the call was coming from the company’s official telephone line. The impersonator claimed to have received an application for a service and, under this pretense, began asking questions related to payment details. This created confusion and doubt for the individual, leaving them uncertain about whether their payments were being directed to the legitimate company or an unknown party.
This scam tactic, commonly referred to as “number spoofing,” relies on the manipulation of caller ID to disguise the true origin of the call. It is often used to exploit the trust individuals have in reputable organizations. Upon further investigation, the company confirmed that its official systems and primary phone number had not been used to make any such call. This verification exposed the incident as a fraudulent attempt to deceive and potentially steal sensitive financial information. This example underscores the importance of being vigilant and verifying the authenticity of unsolicited calls.
Important Notes
- Our official phone number is advertised as 1-800-852-4755 or 800-461-0602 if dialing from Mexico. Our local Vegas number is 702-263-9650. Any call claiming to be from ResortCom Member Services that does not match these numbers should be treated as suspicious.
- We will never ask for sensitive information or payment confirmation in an unsolicited call.
What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Call
While our team is proactive in addressing these scams, we need your help to stay ahead of these criminal activities. Here are steps you can take if you receive a call that seems suspicious:
1.Verify the Caller
If someone claims to be from our company, always verify their identity. Take note of the name they provide and their reason for calling. Then, hang up and call our official number to confirm if the call was legitimate.
2.Avoid Sharing Personal Information
Never provide sensitive information (like payment details or account numbers) over the phone unless you are absolutely certain of whom you are speaking with. Our staff members will never ask for this information on an unsolicited call.
3.Report Suspicious Activity
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to us immediately. Email details of the interaction to our support team at memberservices@resortcom.com, including:
- The phone number that contacted you
- The date and time of the call
- Any information shared during the call
This allows us to investigate and take appropriate steps to prevent further incidents.
4.Use Call Blocking or Screening Apps
Consider using apps or services that can help identify and block spam or scam calls. Many mobile carriers now offer apps that warn users about potential scam numbers.
5.Spread Awareness
The more members know about these scams, the less likely they are to succeed. Share this information with other members or friends who may be at risk of receiving similar calls.
Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
Stay alert and proactive—fraud prevention starts with you. Remember these key points:
- Don’t wire money
- Never share sensitive information or make payments to anyone who contacts you unsolicited.
- Fact-check all communication. A discrepancy of just one digit in the address provided by a scammer compared to the genuine company address, or an untraceable phone number from an incoming call, or repeated changes in the numbers calling you – all these are warning signs to watch out for.
- Always report suspicious activity to us immediately.
- Don’t click on anything in an unsolicited email or text message asking you to update or verify account information.
- Don’t respond to an email, text message or phone call asking you to verify account information.
- Trust your gut. If something appears questionable or too good to be true, it likely is.
Together, we can stop scammers in their tracks. If you’ve received a suspicious call or have any concerns, we’re here to help. Contact us at 1-800-852-4755 (or 800-461-0602 if you’re in Mexico) or send us an email at memberservices@resortcom.com.
