When it comes to cybersecurity, we’re often reminded to be kind when we’re online.

The same is true when we’re on our cell phones (or mobile devices). Maybe that’s why, this month, July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month.

Reminding ourselves that it’s a good idea to be courteous when we’re on the phone is occurring at an interesting time, in that we’ve benefitted from all of the seemingly endless advancements in technology that have turned our phones into something that, at times, we use for everything but to make a call.

Because of this, it’s so much more than about our manners. As never before, phone scams are evolving with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), with sophisticated schemes that have resulted in phishing emails, deep fake videos, and fake voices that mimic real people and organizations that, up until now, we’ve had no reason not to trust. To say that they’re convincing would be an understatement (be sure to check out the timeline of some of the more notable deep fakes).

Robocalls continue to be a significant problem, with billions of calls received by Americans each month. While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that scam calls decreased by almost nine percent in April, the financial damage from these calls remains considerable, with millions of dollars lost each quarter. In fact, the increase in the volume of calls reached its highest level since August 2023.

Vishing, or voice phishing, is another significant threat in 2025, with ongoing increases in both the number of attacks and the financial losses they cause. In 2023, vishing incidents rose by 30 percent, with 68.4 million Americans falling victim, according to the GSMA. One study indicated a 442 percent increase in vishing incidents in 2024, reports IBM citing CrowdStrike. This upward trend is expected to continue, with attackers increasingly focusing on bypassing security measures and exploiting human vulnerabilities to successfully carry out attacks.

The FTC estimates that consumers lost $280 million to phone scams in the first quarter of 2025; a figure that translates to roughly 15 cents lost per scam call, according to YouMail. Additionally, a survey from Experian indicates that 21 percent of Americans have lost money to text message scams. When it comes to reporting these crimes, statistically, women acknowledge they are being scammed more often while men tend to lose more money on average.

To help avoid trouble, there are several steps you can take to help make sure the calls you’re receiving are not only more courteous, but could save you money while, at the same time, protecting your identity, including:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited calls and messages. It’s OK to trust your instincts.
• Do not click on links from unknown senders.
• Consider using call-screening apps and services that allow you to block or filter unwanted calls.
• Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry (though this may not stop all robocalls).

Here in Indiana, if you suspect that you’re the victim of a scam, visit the Report A Cyber Incident page on the Indiana Cyber Hub website. And whether you’re reporting it as an individual or as a business owner, there are free resources you can access that’ll take you through the process, connect you with law enforcement and the appropriate authorities, as reporting a cyber crime or incident could help others avoid being impacted.

In addition to being more secure whenever we’re on our phones, National Cell Phone Courtesy Month is a great time to take a page from Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby and knock one out of the park by practicing good habits and be considerate to our family, friends, and co-workers whenever we reach for our cell phone!