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Consumer Protection

Phone and Text Scams Are Getting Smarter. These Warning Signs Still Give Them Away

Scammers often pretend to be government agencies, banks, or family members. Knowing their playbook is your best defense.

By NewsArticlesToday Editorial Staff

Published · 6 min read

Fact-checked against official sources

An older woman cautiously looking at an unknown incoming call on her smartphone
An older woman cautiously looking at an unknown incoming call on her smartphone. Illustrative image.

Key takeaways

  • Scammers create urgency and pressure you to act immediately.
  • Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency are major red flags.
  • Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Fraudulent calls and text messages continue to affect millions of Americans every year. While the stories change, the tactics scammers use tend to follow a familiar pattern, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Common warning signs

  • The caller claims to be from a government agency, your bank, or a well-known company.
  • You are told there is a problem — or a prize — that requires immediate action.
  • You are pressured to act right away and told not to hang up or talk to anyone.
  • You are asked to pay with a gift card, wire transfer, payment app, or cryptocurrency.
  • A message asks you to click a link or confirm personal or account information.

The “family emergency” scam

Some scammers pose as a grandchild or other relative in trouble and urgently ask for help. If you get a call like this, hang up and contact your family member directly using a phone number you already know.

What to do

  • Hang up or do not reply. Contact the organization using a number you look up yourself.
  • Never share passwords, PINs, or verification codes.
  • Consider call-blocking tools offered by your phone carrier.
  • Report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The bottom line

Slowing down is your strongest protection. A legitimate organization will always give you time to verify who you are speaking with.

Sources

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