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Scam Phone Call Safety Guide
How to recognize suspicious calls and protect yourself or a loved one calmly.
Scammers are trained professionals who pressure people on purpose. Being targeted does not mean someone is foolish. The safest step is always to slow down and verify.
This guide provides general troubleshooting steps. Do not share passwords, banking information, private codes, or sensitive personal information. If you suspect fraud, hacking, account theft, or a scam, stop and contact the official provider directly.
Common Scam Call Warning Signs
- •Urgent pressure — "You must act right now or something bad will happen."
- •Request for gift cards — no legitimate company will ask you to pay with gift cards.
- •Request for wire transfers or unusual payment methods.
- •Asking for passwords, PINs, or online account codes.
- •Asking for a one-time verification code that was just sent to your phone.
- •Offering to "fix" your computer remotely — often a scam.
- •Threats of arrest, account closure, or government action.
- •"Grandchild emergency" claims — pretending to be a grandchild in trouble.
- •"Do not tell anyone" — a caller asking you to keep the call secret is a major warning sign.
- •Caller ID can be faked — a call that looks like your bank or government is not always real.
What to Do During a Suspicious Call
0/8Stay calm — do not let urgency pressure you into fast decisions
Do not give out any verification codes sent to your phone
Do not share passwords, account numbers, or PINs
Do not agree to pay anything with gift cards
Do not allow remote computer access to anyone you did not call first
Hang up — it is always okay to hang up
Call the official number from your bill, card, or the company's real website
Tell a trusted family member what happened
Family Safety Plan
Families can put a simple plan in place before a scam call ever happens:
- •Agree on a family code word — if someone claims to be a family member in trouble, they should know the word.
- •Write a list of trusted contacts and keep it near the phone.
- •Decide together who to call before sending any money — even for an "emergency."
- •Save official bank, utility, and provider phone numbers in your phone or on paper.
- •Practice saying: "I need to verify this first. I will call you back on the official number."
If Information Was Already Shared
- •Change your passwords immediately — start with email and bank accounts.
- •Contact your bank or credit card provider directly using the number on the back of your card.
- •Monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
- •Tell a trusted family member or friend — you do not have to handle it alone.
- •Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (United States) or your local equivalent.
- •Do not feel ashamed — scammers target millions of people every year.
Know When to Call a Pro
Get trusted help immediately if any of these happened:
- ▸Money was sent — by any method
- ▸Bank account or credit card information was shared
- ▸Passwords or verification codes were given out
- ▸Remote computer access was allowed
- ▸You are unsure what information was shared