November 22, 2023
Just one successful scam call can allow a fraudster to invade your privacy, drain your financial accounts, and even steal your identity. Scam calls and fraudulent texts can be difficult to spot because the criminals behind them pose as businesses and brands people know and trust. Spectrum scams are among the many forms of phone fraud that steal billions of dollars from American consumers every year.
Keep reading to find out what Spectrum scams are, how to spot them in action, and how to prevent them from stealing from you and your family.
Common Spectrum scams
Spectrum scams aren’t perpetrated by the real Spectrum or their employees. They’re actually committed by scammers who pretend to be Spectrum representatives. They may come in many forms, but there are a few especially common Spectrum scams you should know about.
Spectrum 50% off scam
One popular Spectrum scam promises a 50% discount on your monthly Spectrum bill. This fake deal starts with a call claiming to be from Spectrum and offering to halve your bill for anywhere from six months to three years. Allegedly, all you have to do is pay for a few months upfront to lock in the new rate. The caller asks for your Spectrum details to verify your account, and they take your payment information to process the fee.
Unfortunately, there is no such 50% off promotion. Instead, the scammer steals your financial information and uses it to empty your bank accounts or make purchases using your credit cards. They may even use your Spectrum information to purchase expensive devices they can resell for a profit.
Equipment upgrade scam
Some Spectrum scams prompt you to upgrade your modem, router, or other equipment at a discount, offering a small one-time fee or low monthly payments. Again, the scammer will take your information to “verify your account” and “process fees,” when they’re really recording your personal data and stealing your financial details.
Keep in mind that Spectrum doesn’t charge monthly fees for modems. If you get an offer that sounds too good to be true, you can check it against Spectrum’s pricing list for services, equipment, and charges.
Spectrum gift card scam
Like other types of phone fraud, Spectrum scams often involve gift cards. Once the scammer pitches their scheme (like 50% off service or discounted equipment), they ask for payment in Target gift cards. This is because gift cards are easy to transfer but difficult to trace — once you read a gift card number to a scammer, the money is essentially gone.
While Spectrum does accept certain types of prepaid cards, they do not accept Target gift cards as payment. Always assume you’re being scammed if asked to pay for products or services with gift cards for an unrelated company.
Free gift scam
Promises of free gifts are common among call and text-message scams. A current Spectrum text scam claims your bill has been paid for the month and includes a link to redeem a nondescript “free gift.” Suspiciously, the text appears to come from your own phone number. Of course, the link leads to a fake website designed to steal your information.
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Get StartedHow are scammers getting my number?
Scammers have many ways of finding phone numbers, including data breaches, malware, and the dark web. They may also use bots to scrape numbers from social media profiles or simply dial them at random. Many people who receive Spectrum scam attempts aren’t even Spectrum customers; fraudsters can make a substantial profit even with a low success rate, so they target the masses.
How to recognize a scam
Recognizing a scam attempt quickly can make it more difficult for the fraudster to trick you. Look for the warning signs below to help spot scammers before they can get away with your information.
- Unsolicited communications. Be cautious with unexpected texts or calls, even if they seem to come from a business you know and trust. Scammers use spoof calls and texts to manipulate your caller ID and disguise themselves as legitimate companies.
- Immediate payment requests. Fraudsters want you to act right away, so you fall for their traps before you realize you’re being scammed. They may insist you pay immediately for a supposedly exclusive offer, claiming it’s only available for a limited time or while supplies last.
- Unprofessional behavior. If you don’t act quickly enough, some scammers may become upset and resort to a less professional demeanor. Representatives of legitimate businesses will never raise their voices, threaten you, or otherwise make you feel uncomfortable.
- Suspicious links or attachments. If you get a suspicious text message or email, never click the link or download any attachments. Scam texts often use links to trigger malware downloads or direct you to fake websites where they can steal your personal information.
- Mention of gift cards. Scammers often ask for gift cards as payment because they can be difficult to trace. Legitimate businesses generally don’t accept other companies’ gift cards.
Does Spectrum actually contact their customers?
The real Spectrum doesn’t make unsolicited sales calls to customers. They’ll never ask for private information like your email address, Social Security number, or banking details over text messages or phone calls. If you’ve gotten a suspicious call or message claiming to be from Spectrum, call their customer service line at 1 (833) 267-6094. You can always check your account standing by logging in online or via the My Spectrum app.
Other common disguises for scammers
Spectrum is just one of many legitimate companies fraudsters pose as when running their scams. Be alert for scammers pretending to be other well-known companies like:
- Citibank
- Dynata
- Netflix
- UPS
What to do if you've given a scammer your information
Giving away your private details doesn’t necessarily mean all is lost, but it’s important to act quickly. The quicker you respond, the less time the scammer has to steal additional information, close you out of your accounts, and drain your finances. If you’ve given a scammer your information, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Contact Spectrum immediately
If a Spectrum scam call or text has gotten you to reveal your information, contact Spectrum as soon as possible. They may be able to secure your account, prevent additional damage from being done, and open an identity theft investigation.
Although there are various ways to contact Spectrum, calling their customer service line at 1 (833) 267-6094 may be the most efficient method if you’ve given information to a scammer.
You can report identity theft to Spectrum by submitting:
- A completed and notarized ID Theft Form
- A photocopy of your government-issued identification (like your driver’s license or passport)
- Proof of residency during the time of fraud (like a utility bill or copy of your residential lease)
- A copy of a police report filed with your local law enforcement
You’ll need to fax the above documentation to 1 (816) 203-8000 or mail it to:
Charter Communications
ATTN: Fraud Protection Team
6100 Sprint Pkwy, Ste 2100
Overland Park, KS 66251
Step 2: Notify your bank or payment provider
It’s critical to contact your bank or credit card company if you’ve given away debit or credit card information. They can help you determine if you need to freeze your accounts or cancel any credit or debit cards, and they may be able to help you monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
You should also alert any third-party payment apps that were used to make a transaction (like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App).
Step 3. File a complaint with the authorities
In addition to Spectrum and your financial institutions, there are a few other entities you should notify if you’ve given away information to a scammer.
- Report fraud and identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online
- File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Notify local law enforcement about any suspicious messages you’ve received and information you’ve given away
- Contact the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to start monitoring for suspicious activity and prevent scammers from opening new lines of credit
Step 4: Change your passwords and security information
If you’ve shared Spectrum account information, like your username and password, with a scammer, change your login credentials for any other accounts that use the same details. Scammers may test the information you give them across various other websites and apps, hoping they can use it to access your financial accounts or sell it on the dark web.
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Sign up for a 7-day free trialPreventing Spectrum call & text scams
Spectrum scams can be dangerous, but there are ways to protect yourself. Follow the tips below to reduce your scam risk, protect your family, and even block fake Spectrum calls and texts altogether.
- Verify the source. If you get a suspicious call or text claiming to be from a trusted business, reach out to the company at a publicly listed number or email address to confirm it was them.
- Check for official communication. Log in online or via the My Spectrum app for legitimate account updates, offers, and communications.
- Beware of unsolicited requests for payment. Never give away financial information when someone else initiates the communication (like when you’re cold-called by telemarketers).
- Use robocall and spam-call blockers. Use a scam blocker like Robokiller to block suspicious calls and messages from your phone.
RoboKiller: Your partner in phone and text scam protection
It’s much easier to protect yourself from Spectrum phone scams when they never even make it to your device. Robokiller is 99% effective in blocking call and text scams before they get the chance to lure you into their traps. By recognizing Spectrum scams, understanding how to prevent them, and using a scam-protection app like Robokiller, you can secure your privacy, financial stability, and peace of mind.
Robokiller’s extensive resume and essential features include:
- $600+ million in prevented losses to phone scams
- 1.5+ billion numbers in our global database
- Comprehensive, customizable call and text blocking
- Real-time screening, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI)
Begin your free 7-day Robokiller trial to rid your phone of Spectrum scams, and start protecting your family from dangerous phone fraud today.
