Tired of the Scam Calls-How Fraudsters Progress from Annoying to Extortion

Tired of endless robocalls and suspicious texts? Discover how modern fraudsters progress from annoying phone spam to high-stakes extortion—and learn actionable steps to lock down your phone, defend your privacy, and keep your family safe.

We’ve all experienced the constant nuisance of scam calls, fake utility threats, and robocalls. But today’s fraudsters don't stop at minor phone annoyances. Modern scam networks weaponize fear, authority, and high-pressure tactics to escalate everyday spam into devastating digital extortion and financial traps.

This community workshop exposes how cybercriminals use cell phones and online platforms to target families, young adults, seniors, and local business owners. The session opens with a powerful FBI educational video demonstrating how foreign bad actors target teenagers and young adults through financially motivated digital blackmail and sextortion schemes. From there, the presentation pulls back the curtain on common phone-based and doorstep frauds, including:

• From Annoyance to Urgency: Fake jury duty arrest warrants, high-pressure utility disconnection robocalls, and panic-inducing threats.
• Predatory Healthcare & Doorstep Traps: Deceptive Medicare card exchanges, "free" medical equipment offers, and misleading high-interest solar deals.
• Digital & Cell Phone Threats: How intimate blackmail, phishing texts, and caller ID spoofing force quick, costly mistakes.

Presented by SCORE Northern Nevada at the Northwest Reno Library, this session strips away the mystery behind sophisticated cell phone and online scams. You will leave equipped with practical, simple tools to verify suspicious callers, secure your mobile devices, safeguard sensitive personal data, and report fraud effectively.

To wrap up, the presenter will share information about SCORE Northern Nevada and how free, one-on-one business mentoring supports local entrepreneurs, startup founders, and community resilience.