Cell phone, as we remember, used to be a symbol of connection. A quick ring here, a familiar voice there, and problem solved from miles apart with just a conversation. However, things have changed over time. Now things have become more sinister, as scammers have learnt how to slip into our daily routine disguised as bankers, insurance representatives, government officials, or even our loved ones.
While many may ignore such calls, for others, a single deceptive call can cost them more than just their money. Scammers can steal their personal information, which can lead to identity theft, having more serious consequences. Furthermore, when a business is in question, the loss can be more damaging as it can involve unauthorized transactions and leaked customer data as well.
However, we cannot just surrender to all these problems. It is indeed the need of the hour for us to think ahead of the scammers and to upgrade our defenses. And if by defense, you’re thinking of awareness, that alone is not enough anymore. How can it be when AI-generated voices have the power to imitate our loved ones with chilling accuracy, and criminals can use spoofed numbers to fool us easily?
With all such challenges our way, opting for a smarter move is the only option. And what can be better than using technology to monitor call log history even when you’re not around? Come along and discover how you can do so.
Where Call Scams Stand as of Today
While social media and email scams get a lot of attention, one cannot deny how powerful a call scam can be. Despite advances in software security and penetration testing, phone calls are still one of the easiest ways for hackers to get in touch with potential victims. Ever since the emergence of technologies like deepfakes, such scams and their impacts have become quite serious; after all, the fraudsters have become so professional that they make sure that we fall for their tactics.
But the real issue here is that there are many types of call scams out there, and steering clear of them can be pretty hard. It’s like playing a constant game of dodgeball where one or another ball is bound to eventually hit you.
For one, you might get a call from a customer service representative from a bank asking for your financial details. Other times, you might get caught off guard with a familiar voice of a friend or a loved one asking for money when it’s actually not them.
All these scams come under the bracket of impersonation. While business impersonation reports have been as many as 330,000, and government ones have been up to 160,000, that is not where the scammers stop.
What makes these calls more believable is the use of spoofed numbers. Over 70% of scam calls in the US come from a spoofed number. This tactic makes the call appear as if it’s coming from a credible source. Add to this social engineering, and there you have it, a well-thought-out plan that can drain your bank account. Social engineering here refers to the urgency, fear, authoritativeness of tone, and emotional manipulation tactics that these fraudsters employ.
Common Signs and Dangers of Call Scams
Now that we know how these scams operate, let’s get to the main concern: how much damage can they cause you?
- Scam calls can manipulate you into stealing your private and sensitive information, like social security numbers, banking credentials, passwords, and other personal data.
- Scammers can demand money via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, or even trick victims into paying fake fines.
- Fraudulent calls can also prompt you to install malware on your phone. This is done by giving instructions over the phone by instilling fear or urgency, and can lead to installing harmful software on devices, opening doors to further attacks.
That said, another issue is that tracing these scammers is challenging because they often hide behind spoofed numbers, fake caller IDs, etc. All these tactics make the legal recourse quite difficult. Knowing all these risks, it becomes even more important for you to spot signs of such scams and save yourself from a bigger loss. The following are some warning signs for you to look out for:
- If you or your loved one is continuously receiving calls from unknown numbers that claim to be trusted organizations, it is a huge red flag for you to consider.
- Another major sign is when the calling person pressures you to act immediately or threatens you with potential penalties.
- Other than this, if the caller requests to pay via untraceable methods like gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers, you should be extra careful.
- Asking for sensitive credentials or account details is another sign that you should stay cautious around.
- If the calling ID looks legitimate, but the caller’s behavior seems suspicious, it should instantly hit you that this might be a scam call.
- Similarly, if they request remote access or software installation, know that they are trying to access your personal data.
- If the caller’s background is noisy in a way that mimics a call-center environment, it is one of the subtle signs that this call is not coming from a professional or legitimate setting.
Knowing all these signs can offer you an added layer of protection against damaging scams. However, sometimes, awareness alone isn’t enough. Especially when it comes to your children, they’re naive and vulnerable, so it becomes important for you to maintain remote oversight.
Role of Tools like Xnspy Call Monitoring App
To monitor call log history, you’ll need a reliable app that updates data in real-time and gives you deeper insights as well. Xnspy call log history tracker does exactly that for all the concerned parents out there who want to protect their children from such scams.
1. Call Logs
Xnspy captures a full log of incoming, outgoing, and missed calls, with details such as caller name, number, timestamp, call duration, and even the location of the targeted phone. With this information at hand, you can view if any suspicious or recurring calls are coming your child’s way.
2. Automatic Recordings
Once installed, Xnspy records every incoming and outgoing call. These recordings can give you a clearer context in terms of who has contacted your child and what they have requested of them.
3. History Analysis
For a quicker oversight, you can simply check out the call history analysis report that Xnspy provides. This can be quite useful if you are a busy parent and just want a quick glance over the calling patterns to be sure that there’s nothing to worry about. Here, you will be able to find calling stats such as the most contacted number or contact, the longest calls, etc.
4. Instant Contact Alerts
With Xnspy, you can flag certain contacts or numbers, so when they contact your child, you receive an instant alert via email. Think about it, what if a scammer tries to reach your child again after some time? Wouldn’t you want to know instantly? That is exactly what this feature is helpful for.
5. Unique Functionalities within the App
Xnspy mobile app works in stealth mode in the background of the targeted phone, ensuring nothing goes unnoticed. Moreover, as it doesn’t impact the normal functioning of the device, your child won’t have to face any performance-related issues with it being installed. That said, the installation procedure itself is quite easy, and the data syncs in real-time to a user-friendly dashboard for you to view at your convenience.
Xnspy’s Price Plans
Xnspy comes in two different subscription plans: Basic and Premium, to aid you in your unique monitoring needs. Moreover, both options are available with three different pricing plans, based on duration: monthly, quarterly, and annual. Here’s what they are priced at:
1. Basic
- $29.99/month when billed monthly
- $13.99/month when billed quarterly
- $4.99/month when billed annually
2. Premium
- $35.99/month when billed monthly
- $19.99/month when billed quarterly
- $7.49/month when billed annually
Conclusion
All in all, to protect your loved ones from cyber risks like vishing scams, you need to be well-prepared. While awareness is important, children who are especially vulnerable need protective oversight as well.
To monitor call log history within their cell phone, investing in a reliable monitoring app is the most viable solution. However, it is equally important to deploy these protective barriers in a responsible manner so that your child’s privacy doesn’t get invaded. After all, we want to protect them, not to further harm their mental well-being.
