Telephone Scams

• Do not answer calls from unrecognized phone numbers, even if the area code is 775. If the call is important, the caller will leave a voicemail.
• Hang-up if you suspect a scam.
• If a suspicious caller asks if you are the one answering (e.g. is this Jane Doe?) do not answer “yes.” Your yes answer may be recorded and used for fraudulent verbal consents in the future. Instead, ask, “Who is calling?”
• Calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration or IRS are often scams. 
• The Social Security Administration will never ask you to confirm your Social Security Number, bank account number, or other confidential information over the phone.
• Never send money to claim a prize or to expedite receiving a payment.
• Be incredibly cautious of people asking to keep the call a secret. If someone asks you to lie about what you are doing, it is probably a scam.
• Resources and Reporting: Filing a report can help others from getting scammed and can assist law enforcement with stopping scammers. 

Resources and Reporting

• Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry Register your phone number online at https://www.donotcall.gov/ Phone: 1-888-382-1222
• Visit https://800notes.com/ to verify suspicious phone numbers
•  HIYA - Call Blocker and Protection app at https://hiya.com/
• Submit a complaint with the Nevada Attorney General  http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint or by calling 888-434-9989.

The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is established to strengthen communities in our region through leadership and philanthropy. The information provided on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this page are for general informational purposes only.

^{Rev. November 2021}