Security News > 2021 > February > Nearly 40% of consumers lost money to phone scams in 2020

Businesses and consumers are relying on the voice call more than ever during the pandemic with voice traffic up 184% in 2020 compared to 2019, according to a Hiya report.

Nearly 40% of all respondents reported losing money to phone scams in 2020 - with an average of $182 per person.

More than 7% of Americans reported losing more than $500 to phone scams last year - at a time when businesses are closed and people are losing their jobs as a result of the pandemic.

44% of the US consumers surveyed are regularly targeted by these spoof calls, with larger businesses typically spoofed more than SMEs.

Consumers surveyed indicated they prefer the voice call over all other communication channels for personal and professional interactions, beating out email, text, instant messaging, and video calls.

Businesses are using the voice call more than ever to reach customers and people are picking up the phone to connect with friends, family, and colleagues.

News URL

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HelpNetSecurity/~3/4afIVOtBoG8/