Tools · Spotting scams
Spotting a scam text or call
The FTC's four signs: they pretend to be someone you know (a bank, the IRS, a delivery company, a relative), they say there's a problem or a prize, they pressure you to act now, and they want payment by gift card, wire, crypto or payment app. Don't tap links or call numbers in the message. Look up the real number yourself, forward scam texts to 7726, and report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What to know
- Stop before you tap. If a text you weren't expecting asks for personal or financial information, don't click any links. Legitimate companies won't ask for your account information by text. Source: FTC A link can lead to a fake site that steals your password, or install malware on your phone. Source: FTC
- Check for the four signs. Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know, say there's a problem or a prize, pressure you to act immediately, and tell you to pay in a specific way. Source: FTC Any one of these is a reason to stop and check.
- Don't trust caller ID. Scammers can make any name or number show up on your screen. That's called spoofing. Source: FTC A call that looks like it's from your bank or the police may not be.
- Hang up on pressure. Honest businesses give you time to decide. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give personal information right now is a scammer. Source: FTC If they tell you not to hang up, that's a reason to hang up.
- Know which payments are red flags. Never pay someone who insists on cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, a payment app, or a gift card. Never deposit a check and send part of the money back. Source: FTC The FTC says only scammers ask for payment with gift cards. Source: FTC
- Check it yourself. If you think the message might be real, contact the company using a website or phone number you know is real, not the one in the message or on your caller ID. Source: FTC For your bank, use the number on the back of your card.
- Talk to someone before you act. Telling a friend or family member what happened can help you realize it's a scam. Source: FTC
Scams you'll probably see
All from the FTC's descriptions of common spam texts and calls. Source: FTC
| What it says | What's really happening |
|---|---|
| "Your package couldn't be delivered. Tap to reschedule." | A fake delivery notice designed to get you to tap a link. |
| "Suspicious activity on your account. Verify now." | There's no problem. They want your login or card number. |
| "You won a gift card or prize. Just pay a small fee." | There's no prize. The fee is the scam. |
| "We can help pay off your student loans." | They won't. They want money or your personal information. |
| "You owe the IRS. Pay today or be arrested." | A government imposter. Threatening arrest is a classic pressure tactic. |
| "Grandma, I'm in trouble, please send money." | A family-emergency imposter. Call your relative at a number you already know. |
| "Did you authorize this $499 charge? Call us." | A fake invoice. The number reaches the scammer. |
| A robocall: "Press 1 to speak to an agent or be removed." | Pressing a number may only lead to more robocalls. Hang up ({a(U_PSCAM,'FTC')}). |
What to say
On a call that feels off: "I don't give information on calls I didn't make. I'll call the number on my card." Then hang up. You don't owe a scammer politeness.
To a relative after a strange call: "Hey, I just got a call saying you're in trouble and need money. Are you okay?" Call them at the number you already have, not one the caller gave you.
See it done
How to Spot Imposter Scams Federal Trade Commission · Length 0:35 · 2025 · Checked October 2, 2026
Video blocked on this network? You don't need it. The written steps 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. Turn on two-step sign-in. Source: FTC
- Gave your Social Security number? Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan. Source: FTC
- Paid with a gift card? Contact the gift card company right away, and keep the card and the receipt. Source: FTC
- Sent money another way? Contact your bank, the payment app or the wire company immediately and ask them to reverse it. Source: FTC Then see What to do if you got scammed.
Good to know
Filter them out
Your phone may be able to filter and block messages from unknown senders, your carrier may offer blocking tools, and some call-blocking apps also block texts. Source: FTC
Do Not Call won't stop scammers
The National Do Not Call Registry cuts down on sales calls from legitimate companies, but scammers ignore it. A company calling you illegally isn't one you want to do business with anyway. Source: FTC
Why they want gift cards
Once you give someone the numbers on the back of a gift card, the money is usually gone. That's why the FTC says only scammers demand them. Source: FTC
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission How to avoid a scam
- Federal Trade Commission How to recognize and report spam text messages
- Federal Trade Commission Phone scams
- Federal Trade Commission Avoiding and reporting gift card scams
- Federal Trade Commission What to do if you were scammed
Lesson T4.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.
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