Warning signs of a phone scam
- A name you trust. A government agency, your bank, a delivery company, a tech brand or a family member.
- A problem or prize. Unpaid taxes, a frozen account, a missed parcel, a virus, an arrest, a refund.
- Urgency and secrecy. Act now, stay on the line, don't tell anyone.
- An odd way to pay. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, cash couriers or "moving money to a safe account".
Any request to pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency, or to move your money to keep it safe, is a scam. Hang up.
IRS and Social Security impersonation scams
Callers claim to be from the IRS, the Social Security Administration or another agency. They say you owe back taxes, or that your Social Security number has been "suspended" or linked to a crime, and that you'll be arrested unless you pay or verify details right away.
The IRS generally contacts people first by mail. Neither the IRS nor the Social Security Administration will threaten to arrest you, demand immediate payment by gift card, wire or cryptocurrency, or ask for your full number by phone to "unlock" it. If unsure, look up the agency's number on its official .gov website and contact it yourself.
Fake bank fraud alert texts and calls
A text appears to come from your bank asking if you made a large purchase. Reply "no" and you get a call, often showing your bank's real number, from a "fraud department". The caller asks for a one-time passcode to "stop the charge", or tells you to move money to a "safe account".
Your bank will never ask you to read back a passcode it sent you, or to transfer money to protect it. End the call and contact the bank using the number on the back of your card.
One-ring (wangiri) call scams
Your phone rings once and stops. The number has a three-digit code that looks like a US area code, but it may belong to a Caribbean country in the same numbering plan, such as 876 (Jamaica), 809 (Dominican Republic) or 473 (Grenada). If you call back, you may be charged international or premium rates. Don't return one-ring calls from numbers you don't recognize, and check unfamiliar codes on the area code page.
Fake package delivery texts
A text says a package couldn't be delivered and asks you to click a link to reschedule or pay a small fee. The link leads to a fake site that collects card details or login information. Delivery companies don't normally text unless you signed up for tracking on that shipment. Go directly to the carrier's site or app and enter the tracking number from your order confirmation.
Tech support scams
A caller says your computer has a virus, or a pop-up tells you to phone a support number. The "technician" asks for remote access, then claims to find problems and charges for fake fixes, or uses the access to get into your bank account. Real tech companies don't make unsolicited calls about viruses. Never give remote access to someone who contacted you first.
Grandparent and family emergency scams
A caller pretends to be a grandchild or other relative in trouble, often after a car accident or arrest, and begs you not to tell their parents. A second voice may pose as a lawyer or police officer. Some callers use voice cloning built from short clips posted online. Hang up and contact the relative, or another family member, on a number you already have. Many families agree a code word for emergencies.
Other phone and text scams to recognize
- Utility shut-off threats demanding immediate payment.
- Prize and sweepstakes calls that require a fee to collect.
- Job offers that need you to buy equipment or forward payments.
- Wrong-number texts that turn into friendly chats and then investment pitches.
- Account verification texts asking you to share a code your phone just received.
If you already responded to a scam
Act quickly, because some payments can still be stopped. Follow the steps in what to do if you were scammed. Many scam calls also use a faked number, which caller ID spoofing explains.
Phone scam questions
Does the IRS call people about unpaid taxes?
The IRS generally contacts people first by mail. It won't threaten arrest or demand payment by gift card, wire or cryptocurrency over the phone.
What happens if I call back a one-ring number?
If the code belongs to a Caribbean country in the same numbering plan, you may be charged international or premium rates. Don't return the call.
Can scammers clone a family member's voice?
Some use voice cloning built from short clips posted online. Hang up and call the relative on a number you already have, and consider agreeing a family code word.