Winter 2017 Newsletter

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SKT• 888.758.8976 •
Don’t Be Fooled by
Caller ID Spoofing
One of the best ways to avoid phone
scams has traditionally been to not
answer calls from numbers that you
do not recognize on your Caller ID.
But crooks have a sneaky way around
this. With Caller ID spoofing, they
are able to make it appear as if their
calls are coming from a local phone
number—perhaps even from some-
one you know. That way, you’re more
likely to pick up.
The goal of this scam is to get you
to reveal personal information such
as account numbers, passwords, and
Social Security numbers. To avoid
becoming a victim of Caller ID
spoofing, take these precautions:
• Never give out personal information
over the phone, such as account
numbers, unless you initiate the call.
• If you receive a call requesting
information, ask for the name of the
organization that is calling. Then, call
that organization, using the phone
number on your bill or statement—
NOT the number on your Caller ID.
If you have questions about
Caller ID or any other aspect of
your landline service, call us at
888.758.8976.
Why Talking on the Phone
Can Be Better Than Texting
Despite the convenience of texting, certain situations simply call for
a phone call. If you’re texting more than calling these days, you may
want to reconsider after reviewing these phone call advantages:
You hear the tone of voice for more straightforward communication.
During a phone call, it’s usually easy to determine the other person’s mood or intent based
upon the way the words are spoken. Text messages, by contrast, often become guessing
games. Is he serious or joking? What does that emoji mean? This can lead to miscommu-
nication and hurt feelings.
A phone call is more personal.
There’s something about hearing the voice of someone you care about that can’t be rep-
licated in written form. Think about it: Would you rather hear the sound of someone’s
laughter or read “Ha, ha, ha” in a text? When you’re on a call, it feels more like being in
the same room together.
The conversation has a definite end.
There’s no ambiguity with a phone call. When the conversation is over, the call ends. But
with texting, the conversation may meander on for hours with unpredictable stops and starts.
Talking can be much more efficient (and less tiring).
Tapping letters on a keyboard becomes annoying when you and the other person have a
whole lot to discuss. Save the effort and make a phone call instead, since your mouth can
move faster than your fingers. To prove this point, read this paragraph out loud. Let’s say
that took you 15 seconds to complete. Now grab your smartphone and enter the same
words as a text message. Which was faster?
SKT believes in the power of the human voice and encourages
you to incorporate phone calls into your regular routine. Visit
for details on our selection of voice services.