How to Recognize a Scam Phone Call: 7 Warning Signs

## The Rise of Phone Scams

Americans lost over $10 billion to phone scams in 2024, according to the FTC. Scammers are getting smarter, using AI to clone voices and spoofing caller IDs to look like they're calling from your bank, the IRS, or even family members.

Here's how to protect yourself and your family.

### 7 Warning Signs of a Scam Call

#### 1. Urgency and Pressure

"You must act NOW or face arrest." Legitimate organizations never pressure you into immediate action over the phone. The IRS sends letters first — they don't call threatening jail time.

#### 2. Requests for Unusual Payment Methods

Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash via mail? No legitimate company or government agency accepts these as payment. If someone asks for payment in gift cards, hang up immediately.

#### 3. Unsolicited Calls About Problems You Didn't Know About

"Your computer has a virus" or "Your Social Security number has been compromised." These cold calls about problems you weren't aware of are almost always scams.

#### 4. Caller ID Shows a Familiar Number

Scammers use technology called "spoofing" to make their number appear as your bank, a government agency, or even a neighbor. Don't trust caller ID alone.

#### 5. They Already Know Some Personal Information

Scammers buy data from breaches and use it to sound legitimate. Knowing your name and address doesn't mean the caller is who they claim to be.

#### 6. They Ask You to Confirm Personal Information

"Can you verify your Social Security number?" Legitimate companies that call you won't ask for information they should already have.

#### 7. Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers

Free vacations, lottery winnings you didn't enter, or investment opportunities with "guaranteed" returns are all red flags.

### What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

1. **Hang up.** Don't feel rude — your security matters more than politeness.

2. **Don't press any buttons.** Pressing buttons to "opt out" often confirms your number is active.

3. **Look up the real number.** If it claims to be your bank, call the number on your bank card directly.

4. **Report it.** File a complaint at donotcall.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov.

5. **Use scam detection tools.** Our AI-powered Scam Check can analyze suspicious messages and calls to tell you if they're legitimate.

### Protecting Your Family

- Talk to elderly relatives about common scams — they're the most targeted demographic

- Set up call filtering on family members' phones

- Consider registering all family numbers on the Do Not Call Registry

- Use our CyberGuard Pro for real-time scam detection alerts

*This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by our cybersecurity team.*