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.

Easy15 min to readFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

A pause before you tap anything
The real phone numbers for your bank and card (on the back of the card or your statement)

What to know

Any one of these is enough to stop.

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: FTC² A link can lead to a fake site that steals your password, or install malware on your phone. Source: FTC²
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: FTC¹ 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: FTC³ 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: FTC¹ 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: FTC¹ The FTC says only scammers ask for payment with gift cards. Source: FTC⁴
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: FTC¹ 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: FTC¹
Report it and block it. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), report them as junk in your messaging app, and report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Source: FTC² For calls, report the number that called, the number on caller ID, any callback number, and the date and time. Source: FTC³

Watch out Scammers often pretend to be the government itself. The FTC will never threaten you, tell you to transfer your money to "protect it," or tell you to withdraw cash or buy gold and hand it over. Source: FTC¹ Anyone who does is a scammer, no matter what caller ID says.

Scams you'll probably see

All from the FTC's descriptions of common spam texts and calls. Source: FTC²

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. Source: FTC³

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

Video by FTCvideos Government

How to Spot Imposter Scams

Watch on YouTube: How to Spot Imposter Scams

2025 · Checked October 3, 2026

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. 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: FTC⁵
Paid with a gift card? Contact the gift card company right away, and keep the card and the receipt. Source: FTC⁵
Sent money another way? Contact your bank, the payment app or the wire company immediately and ask them to reverse it. Source: FTC⁵ Then see What to do if you got scammed.

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

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: FTC²

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: FTC³

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: FTC⁴

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

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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