5 Signs Someone Is Trying to Scam You by Phone

Scam calls and texts are one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country, and older adults are the most targeted group. The good news: once you know what to look for, most scams are easy to spot.

Here are five warning signs — and what to do when you see them.

1. They create urgency or panic

This is the #1 tactic every scammer uses. They want you to act right now, before you have time to think.

You might hear things like:

“Your Social Security number has been suspended.”
“Your computer has a virus and we need to access it immediately.”
“Your grandson is in jail and needs bail money tonight.”
“Your account has been compromised — you must act in the next hour.”

What to do: Hang up. Legitimate organizations — the IRS, Social Security, your bank, Medicare — do not call you demanding immediate action. If you’re worried there’s a real problem, hang up and call the organization back using a number from their official website or the back of your card.

2. They ask for unusual payment

Real businesses and government agencies don’t ask you to pay with:

Gift cards (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon)
Wire transfers
Cryptocurrency
Zelle or Venmo to a stranger

If someone asks you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers over the phone, that is always a scam. Always. There is no exception.

What to do: Stop the call immediately. If you’ve already sent money, call your bank right away.

3. They ask for personal information you didn’t initiate

If you didn’t call them, they have no business asking for:

Your Social Security number
Your Medicare or insurance ID
Your bank account or credit card numbers
Passwords or PINs

What to do: Don’t give out any personal information to someone who called you. If they say they’re from your bank, hang up and call your bank’s official number.

4. The caller ID doesn’t match what they say

Scammers can fake — or “spoof” — any phone number they want. The number on your screen might look like it’s from your local police department, your bank, or even a neighbor.

You cannot trust caller ID alone.

What to do: If you didn’t recognize the number or the call seems suspicious, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message. You can then call back on a number you know is real.

5. Something just feels off

Trust your instincts. If a call feels wrong, it probably is. Scammers are trained to keep you on the phone, keep you talking, and keep you from hanging up. You are always allowed to hang up — on anyone.

It’s not rude. It’s smart.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

If you gave out personal information or sent money:

Call your bank immediately — they can sometimes stop a transfer or freeze your account.
Change your passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised.
Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Tell someone you trust — a family member or friend — so they can help.

A Senior Tech Safety Check is one of the best ways to put scam protections in place before something happens. I’ll set up call filters, review your accounts, and make sure you have a clear plan for what to do if you ever get a suspicious call.

Learn about the Safety Check →