A scam phone call does not always sound suspicious. The caller may know your name, display a familiar-looking number, claim to represent a company you use, or describe a problem that sounds believable. The safest approach is not to decide whether the voice sounds trustworthy. Focus on what the caller wants you to do.
What are the biggest warning signs of a scam call?
Unexpected calls become especially concerning when the caller combines urgency with requests for money, passwords, security codes, personal information, remote computer access, or secrecy.
1. Be cautious when a caller creates an emergency
Scammers may claim that your bank account has been compromised, your computer is infected, you owe money, a family member is in trouble, or law enforcement is about to take action. The emergency is intended to keep you on the phone and prevent independent verification.
2. Do not trust caller ID as proof
The number or organization displayed on your phone can be manipulated. A call that appears to come from your bank, a government agency, or a local number may still be fraudulent.
If the issue is important, hang up and contact the organization through a number you already know or obtain from its official website, app, statement, or the back of your card.
3. Never provide passwords or verification codes
A legitimate organization should not need you to read your password to an unexpected caller. Be equally protective of one-time security codes. A criminal may trigger a real code and then ask you to read it aloud so they can complete a sign-in.
4. Treat unusual payment requests as a major warning sign
Unexpected requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, cash, or urgent payment through an app deserve immediate caution. Do not allow a caller to tell you that a particular payment method is the only way to avoid a penalty or solve an emergency.
5. Be suspicious of requests for remote access
Tech-support scams often tell victims to install software that lets the caller view or control the computer. Do not install remote-access software because an unexpected caller tells you to.
6. Watch for secrecy and isolation
A scammer may tell you not to speak with your bank, spouse, family, police, or store employees. A demand for secrecy is a strong reason to stop the conversation and get a second opinion.
7. You do not have to answer every question
An unexpected caller may already know some public information about you. That does not prove legitimacy. Do not fill in missing information or confirm sensitive details merely because the caller knows your name or address.
Your 30-second scam call check
- Was I expecting this call?
- Is the caller trying to frighten or rush me?
- Are they asking for money, passwords, security codes, or personal information?
- Are they asking me to install software or give them access to a device?
- Are they discouraging me from verifying the story independently?
What should you do when a call feels suspicious?
End the call. You do not need the caller's permission to hang up. Find trusted contact information independently and contact the organization yourself. If the call claims to involve a family member, contact that person or another relative using a number you already have.
What if the caller says you will lose money if you hang up?
That is exactly when independent verification matters most. A legitimate bank or organization can still help you when you contact it through an official channel.
What if you already shared information?
Change exposed passwords through legitimate websites or apps and enable two-factor authentication. If banking or card information was involved, contact the financial institution immediately through a trusted number. Review recent transactions and sign-in activity.
What if you installed remote-access software?
Disconnect from the session, remove software you do not need, and change important passwords from a device you trust. If you are unsure what the caller changed, seek help from a trusted technical professional.
What not to do
- Do not trust caller ID as proof of identity.
- Do not give unexpected callers passwords or one-time codes.
- Do not install software at a stranger's direction.
- Do not buy gift cards to solve an account or government problem.
- Do not stay on the call simply because the caller sounds authoritative.
How do you know you are safer?
You are safer when you control the verification process. The caller does not choose the phone number, website, payment method, or person you use to confirm the story.
The Know Phishing takeaway
When an unexpected caller creates pressure, hang up. Find trusted contact information yourself and verify the situation independently before sharing information, installing software, or sending money.