Unsolicited Emails, Text Messages, and Phone Calls: When Technology Keeps Interrupting Your Life
Technology was supposed to make life easier.
In many ways, it has. We can communicate instantly, pay bills without leaving home, check on family members thousands of miles away, order groceries, make appointments, and find almost any information we need in seconds.
But technology has also made it incredibly easy for other people to interrupt us.
Our phones beep. Our computers announce a new email. A text message appears while we're eating dinner. Another notification pops up while we're trying to read something. Before long, it can feel as though everyone has access to us whenever they want it.
And many of those people are people we don't even know.
Not Every Unsolicited Message Is a Scam
When we talk about unsolicited email and text messages, it's important to make a distinction.
Some are scams. Some contain dangerous links designed to steal passwords, banking information, or other personal information.
But many unsolicited messages are perfectly legitimate.
A real estate agent may want to know if you're interested in selling your house. A business may be advertising a service. A salesperson may be looking for new customers. Someone may be promoting insurance, Internet service, home improvements, investments, or any number of other products.
The message may be legitimate, but you didn't ask for it.
That makes it an interruption.
Technology Has Made Interrupting People Almost Free
Years ago, reaching thousands of potential customers was expensive. Companies had to print advertisements, mail letters, buy newspaper ads, or pay employees to make telephone calls.
Technology changed that.
Today, one person or company can send thousands of emails or text messages relatively cheaply and quickly.
That is wonderful technology if you're the person sending the messages.
It isn't always so wonderful if you're receiving them.
The same technology that makes communication convenient also makes it possible for dozens—or hundreds—of people and companies to compete for a few seconds of your attention.
And your attention has value.
You Don't Have to Respond to Everything
One of the habits we developed with telephones was feeling obligated to answer them.
The phone rings, so we answer.
Technology has carried that habit into email, text messages, social media, and notifications.
But you don't have to respond simply because someone has found a way to contact you.
If an email doesn't interest you, delete it.
If a legitimate company repeatedly sends advertising emails, use the unsubscribe option when appropriate.
If you receive an unwanted text from a legitimate business, you can decline the offer or use its legitimate opt-out method.
And if you receive something suspicious, don't engage with it at all.
Be Especially Careful With Links
This is where unsolicited messages become more than just annoying.
An email or text message might say:
"Your package could not be delivered."
"Your account has been suspended."
"You have an unpaid toll."
"Your bank account requires verification."
"Click here immediately to prevent your account from being closed."
These messages are designed to create urgency.
Don't let urgency override common sense.
If a message claims there is a problem with your bank account, don't use the link in the message. Open your bank's app yourself or type the bank's website address into your browser.
If a message supposedly comes from a company you do business with, go directly to that company's website or contact it using a telephone number you already know is legitimate.
The important rule is simple:
Don't let an unexpected message decide where you go on the Internet.
Don't Give Away Personal Information
A legitimate-looking message can still be dangerous.
Never provide passwords, verification codes, Social Security numbers, banking information, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information simply because someone contacted you and asked for it.
Be especially suspicious when someone pressures you to act immediately.
Scammers understand human behavior. They want you worried, excited, frightened, or curious because people make mistakes when they react emotionally.
Slow down.
A legitimate problem will usually still be there five minutes later after you've had time to verify it.
When the Phone Rings and Someone Threatens to Arrest You
Now let's talk about something considerably more serious than unwanted advertising.
Imagine you're sitting at home when your telephone rings.
You look at the caller ID, and it appears to be your county courthouse or local police department.
You answer.
The caller identifies himself as a deputy sheriff or court official. He sounds professional, speaks with authority, and may even provide his name, badge number, and the name of a judge.
Then he tells you something frightening.
"You failed to respond to a jury summons and missed your scheduled court appearance. A warrant has been issued for your arrest."
You explain that you never received a summons.
He responds that the court has documentation showing you were properly notified.
Perhaps he even knows your full name, home address, and other personal details.
He tells you that unless you resolve the matter immediately, deputies may be dispatched to arrest you.
But there's good news, he says.
You can avoid arrest by paying a fine or posting a bond over the telephone.
Stop right there.
You are almost certainly dealing with a scammer.
And these scams can be frighteningly realistic.
Your Caller ID Can Lie to You
Here's something many people don't understand.
Just because your telephone displays the name or number of a courthouse, police station, sheriff's department, or government agency doesn't mean that's where the call originated.
Criminals can manipulate the telephone system to make almost any telephone number appear on your caller ID.
This is called caller-ID spoofing.
For example, a scammer might call you from another state—or even another country—but your telephone displays the actual number of your county courthouse.
You might search the Internet, confirm that the displayed number belongs to the courthouse, and mistakenly conclude that the call must be legitimate.
It isn't necessarily.
The number displayed on your telephone is not proof of who is calling.
And scammers know that.
They may also use the names of real judges, police officers, court employees, and government officials.
Some even send official-looking documents containing court seals, case numbers, signatures, and supposed arrest warrants.
These documents can be completely fraudulent.
Modern technology makes creating convincing documents and impersonating authority figures easier than ever.
Never assume a telephone call is legitimate simply because the caller knows your name, address, or other personal information.
The Jury Duty Scam
The missed-jury-duty scam is particularly effective because most Americans understand that jury service is a legal obligation.
The caller may claim that:
You failed to respond to a jury summons.
You missed a scheduled court appearance.
A judge has issued a bench warrant.
You are being charged with contempt of court.
Police officers are preparing to arrest you.
You must immediately pay a fine or bond to avoid going to jail.
The caller may insist that you remain on the telephone while making payment.
Some scammers even warn that hanging up will result in immediate arrest.
Others instruct victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, transfer money electronically, or deposit cryptocurrency.
They may tell you not to contact anyone because the matter is confidential.
Think about that for a moment.
Someone you don't know calls unexpectedly, threatens to have you arrested, and then offers to make the problem disappear if you send money.
Does that sound like how our legal system is supposed to work?
It shouldn't.
Courts can impose legitimate consequences for ignoring jury service, but those matters follow established legal procedures.
A legitimate court does not resolve a missed jury summons by demanding immediate payment over an unsolicited telephone call.
If you receive such a call, hang up.
Then independently contact the courthouse using a telephone number obtained from its official website or another trusted source.
Do not call a number the suspicious caller provides.
What About Threats of Jail, Prison, or Arrest Warrants?
The jury-duty scam is only one variation.
Criminals also impersonate police officers, federal agents, tax collectors, attorneys, and debt collectors.
Their stories vary, but the objective is usually the same.
They want to frighten you into sending money or revealing personal information.
You might hear:
"There's a warrant for your arrest."
"You owe back taxes, and federal agents are coming to your house."
"Your wages will be garnished unless you pay today."
"You are facing criminal charges."
"Your bank accounts are about to be frozen."
"You will go to prison if you don't cooperate."
Some threats involve situations that can have genuine legal consequences.
For example, unpaid taxes can eventually result in legitimate collection actions, including wage garnishment or tax levies.
But those actions involve legal procedures and notices. They aren't something an anonymous caller can simply invent and enforce because you refuse to make an immediate payment.
The IRS generally begins collection matters through official correspondence and provides taxpayers with established rights and procedures.
The IRS does not call unexpectedly and threaten immediate arrest unless you pay over the telephone.
Likewise, a legitimate debt collector cannot simply have you thrown into prison because you refuse to provide your credit card number during an unexpected call.
Be especially suspicious of anyone who combines threats of arrest with demands for immediate payment.
What Should You Do When Someone Threatens You Over the Telephone?
My advice is straightforward.
First, don't panic.
That's exactly what the scammer wants.
Fear makes people act before thinking.
Second, don't argue with the caller.
You don't need to convince the person that you're innocent. You don't need to explain your finances or prove that you never received a jury summons.
Third, don't provide personal information.
That includes your Social Security number, date of birth, bank account information, credit card numbers, passwords, or verification codes.
Even confirming information the caller already possesses may help a criminal.
Fourth, don't send money.
Never purchase gift cards, send cryptocurrency, or transfer money simply because someone threatens you with arrest.
Fifth, hang up and verify the claim independently.
If the caller claims to represent a courthouse, contact that courthouse directly.
If the caller claims to represent the IRS, contact the IRS through its official website.
If the caller claims to be a police officer, contact the police department using its publicly listed telephone number.
Don't rely on the number displayed on your caller ID.
And don't use a callback number provided by the person who threatened you.
Finally, report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
In the United States, you can report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
You can also contact local law enforcement.
If you've already sent money, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. The sooner you report a fraudulent transaction, the better your chances of limiting the damage.
Remember This One Rule
If you remember nothing else from this discussion, remember this:
Anyone who unexpectedly calls you, threatens you with jail or arrest, and demands immediate payment should be treated as a potential scammer until you independently verify the claim.
That doesn't mean ignoring legitimate legal notices.
It means refusing to let an unknown caller frighten you into making a decision before you've verified the facts.
A real legal problem should be addressed through legitimate channels.
A scammer wants to prevent you from using those channels.
There's a big difference.
Take Back Control of Your Attention
There is another side to this that has nothing to do with scams.
Constant interruptions can simply become exhausting.
You don't need to know about every email the instant it arrives. You don't need an audible notification every time an app has something to tell you.
Consider turning off unnecessary notifications.
Let email wait until you're ready to check it.
Use Do Not Disturb when you're sleeping, working, reading, eating dinner, or simply don't want to be interrupted.
Technology should work for you.
You shouldn't spend your day responding to technology.
Delete, Block, Report, or Ignore
When an unsolicited message arrives, I generally think about it in four simple ways.
If it's harmless but I'm not interested, I ignore or delete it.
If it's from a legitimate company that I don't want contacting me, I unsubscribe or opt out when appropriate.
If it's suspicious, I don't click anything or reply. I report it as spam or junk and block the sender.
If it's something important, I verify who sent it before taking action.
You don't need to become a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A little skepticism and a few good habits go a long way.
And Then There Are the Legitimate Sales Messages...
I receive my share of legitimate unsolicited messages from people trying to sell me something.
They're not necessarily scammers. They're just salespeople doing their jobs.
I've decided that occasionally there's a little entertainment value in turning the situation around.
After all, they contacted me because they wanted an opportunity to sell me something.
Fair enough.
Sometimes I give them an opportunity to buy something instead.
My response is:
No thanks, but since you contacted me, how about buying my book instead? 😄 Cheap Houses by Stevie G. Davis — available on Amazon.
I figure if you're going to interrupt my day trying to sell me something, it's only fair that I get a sales pitch too.
Who knows?
One of these days, it might even work.
