The Call Forwarding Scam Every Customer Should Know

Call Forwarding Scams: What Every Customer Should Know

Fraudsters continue to look for ways to gain access to personal information and financial accounts. One reported scam involves a common phone feature many customers may not realize can be misused: call forwarding.

By convincing individuals to activate call forwarding on their mobile device, scammers may be able to redirect incoming calls intended for the customer, including security verification calls and one-time passcodes used to help protect online accounts.

What Is a Call Forwarding Scam?

Call forwarding is a legitimate telephone feature that allows incoming calls to be redirected to another phone number. While the feature has valid uses, criminals have found ways to misuse it.

In this scam, a fraudster may claim to represent a financial institution, government agency, service provider, or fraud department. They often create a sense of urgency and instruct the customer to dial a combination of numbers and symbols, such as *72 or *21 followed by a phone number.

The fraudster may describe the short code as a verification step, security measure, activation code, or case reference number. Dialing these short codes can activate call forwarding and redirect future calls to a number controlled by the fraudster.

Why It Matters

Many security processes today rely on your phone number as part of account verification. If a scammer gains control of incoming calls, they may attempt to use that access to facilitate account takeover attempts or bypass certain security controls.

Potential risks may include:

• Intercepting one-time verification codes

• Receiving security callbacks intended for the customer

• Attempting password resets on online accounts

• Accessing voicemail messages

• Impersonating the customer during verification processes

• Attempting to conduct transactions in the customer’s name

Customers are encouraged to use caution if anyone asks them to dial unfamiliar codes or change their phone settings, especially during an unexpected call.

How to Protect Yourself

Pause: Be cautious of unexpected calls that create urgency or pressure you to act immediately.

Verify: If someone claims to be calling from Vantage Bank or another trusted organization, end the call and contact the organization directly using a known phone number.

Protect: Avoid dialing star codes, call-forwarding commands, or changing phone settings at the direction of an unsolicited caller unless you have independently confirmed the request is legitimate.

What to Do If You Think Call Forwarding Was Activated

If you believe your calls may have been forwarded:

1. Contact your mobile carrier as soon as possible.

2. Ask them to verify whether call forwarding is enabled on your line.

3. Follow your carrier's instructions to disable any unauthorized forwarding settings.

4. Monitor your accounts and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Stay Alert

Vantage Bank will never ask you to activate call forwarding, dial star codes to secure your account, or provide one-time passcodes over the phone.

If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts. Taking a moment to pause and verify can help protect your personal information and financial accounts.

If you believe you’ve been targeted or your account may be compromised, please contact Vantage Bank at 866-VANTAGE (866-826-8243). When something seems unusual, taking a moment to pause, verify, and ask questions can help protect your information. Vantage Bank is here to support you