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Spotting a scam text or call

Real companies don't rush you or ask for gift cards, wire transfers or crypto. Don't tap the link. Contact the company yourself, using a number you already trust.

Easy10 min to readFree

What to know

Red flags in a scam textA phone showing a made-up scam text: urgent, your account is locked, pay with a gift card today, with a short link. Gold labels point out the red flags: pressure and a deadline, a request for a gift card, wire or crypto, and a link you did not ask for. It also came out of nowhere. The advice: do not tap, do not call back.URGENT: youraccount is locked.Pay with gift cardtoday or lose it:bit.ly/xxxxPressure and a deadlineGift card, wire or cryptoA link you didn't ask forComes outof nowhereDon't tap. Don't call back.
Any one of these is enough to stop.
  1. Don't tap links or call back numbers in the message.
  2. Look for pressure, secrecy, or a request to pay with a gift card, wire transfer or crypto. The FTC says only scammers ask for gift card payments (FTC).
  3. Check by contacting the company yourself, through its official site or a number on your card or statement.
  4. Report scam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) (FTC), and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Watch out. If you already paid with a gift card, contact the gift card company right away and keep the card and receipt (FTC).

See it done

How to Spot Imposter ScamsFederal Trade Commission · Length 0:35 · 2025

Video blocked on this network? You don't need it. The written steps above are the whole lesson, and the video is extra. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

  • Tapped the link and entered a password? Change that password now, and anywhere else you reused it (FTC).
  • Gave your Social Security number? Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan (FTC).
  • Sent money? Contact the bank, app or company you paid through immediately and ask them to reverse it (FTC).

Good to know

Common tricks

Scam texts often promise prizes, claim there's suspicious activity on your account, or send fake package delivery notices (FTC).

The FTC won't threaten you

The FTC will never tell you to move money "to protect it" or buy gold. That's a scam (FTC).

Block and filter

Your phone and carrier have tools to filter or block unwanted texts (FTC).

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission How to recognize and report spam text messages
  2. Federal Trade Commission Avoiding and reporting gift card scams
  3. Federal Trade Commission What to do if you were scammed
  4. Federal Trade Commission ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Lesson T3.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?