Are You a Target? Inside the Car Accident Call Scam Hitting Arizona

If I didn’t rely on my phone to keep in touch with my family, I swear, I’d disconnect it. I get an obscene number of calls from shysters working hard to separate me from my money.

I know the signals, but I worry about those of us who might not know the warning signs, especially older adults who might not understand what's happening.

an old woman using a laptop

I get these calls constantly, as often as three, sometimes four times a day. It’s always the same vague script: the person asks if I was in an accident in the last two years, or they say they're reviewing a “file” on their desk with my name on it.

They never give specifics. Instead, they pause just long enough, hoping I’ll fill in the blanks myself. That’s the trick; if the details match and you start filling in the gaps for them, they’ve got an opening.

a car that has been involved in a car accident

What This “Accident Call” Scam Really Is

These calls are part of a growing scam trend. You've heard the expression, 'even a broken clock is right twice a day.' If they make enough calls, they'll eventually connect with someone who’s had a car accident within their general time frame.

The caller is fishing for anyone willing to say “yes” so they can continue the conversation. Most of these connections are illegal robocalls, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or they come from lead-generation operations trying to sell your information.

RELATED: Identifying Scams Targeting Veterans In Arizona: What To Know

woman in black headphones holding black and silver headphones

In some cases, the person on the phone claims your contact details came from a file they’re reviewing, but that’s just a cover story meant to give them credibility. They claim they can help you get "the settlement you deserve".

According to the Hiya Blog, large-scale tracking has found that the exact same script is used across hundreds of spam calls. Dozens of scammers, all with the same hook.

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a woman sitting at a table looking at her cell phone

Why You Should Never Give Them Information

If you engage with them, the caller may try to collect personal information. They’re looking for things like your address, insurance details, or even financial data. This can lead to identity theft, fraud, or being pressured into fake legal or medical services, according to Reyes Law.

Legitimate insurance companies and attorneys don’t cold-call strangers asking for sensitive information. If you get one of these calls, it's a major red flag, and whatever you do, don’t provide any information.

READ ALSO: Cochise County Warns About New Scams Targeting Residents

man writing on paper

How to Stop and Report the Calls

The best thing to do when you get one of these calls is to hang up immediately and completely avoid interacting with them.

You can block the number, but this, too, can become a full-time job, since scammers will continue calling from new numbers. Since many of the calls come from overseas, it’s difficult to track them.

man in white button up shirt smiling

One thing you can do to make a difference is to report the calls to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also file robocall complaints through the National Do Not Call Registry.

Whatever you do, don’t provide any information, and be sure to share this with your loved ones. Don’t let anyone you know become a target of this fraud.