Before You Answer
Before picking up any unknown call, run through these quick checks. If the number is not in your contacts and your carrier hasn't flagged it as spam, let it ring to voicemail first. Legitimate callers leave messages. Scammers typically don't — or if they do, the voicemail itself is a red flag (urgent demand for payment, "final notice," "legal action pending"). Enable your carrier's call labeling service: T-Mobile Scam Shield (free, via T-Mobile app), AT&T ActiveArmor (free tier, via myAT&T app), or Verizon Call Filter (free tier, via My Verizon app). These services label calls as "Spam Risk" or "Scam Likely" at the carrier level before the call reaches your phone.
- Check whether the number is in your contacts before answering
- If unknown, let it go to voicemail — listen before calling back
- Look up the number at Google (search the full number in quotes) or at 800notes.com
- Check whether your carrier has labeled the call as "Spam Risk" or "Scam Likely"
- Note the area code: Caribbean area codes (268, 284, 473, 649, 664, 767, 809, 876) look domestic but are international
- If the number matches your area code and prefix but you don't recognize it, treat as potential neighbor spoofing
For iPhone users: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers sends all numbers not in your contacts directly to voicemail without ringing. This is the single most effective pre-answer protection available. Android users: Phone app → Settings → Blocked numbers → enable filtering, or use Google Phone's built-in screening. Both approaches dramatically reduce exposure to scam calls before you've engaged with them.
During the Call
If you've answered and suspect the call may be fraudulent, these are your real-time checks. You can hang up at any time. There is no social obligation to stay on a call with someone who may be defrauding you.
- Ask for the caller's full name, department, employee ID, and a callback number at their official organization
- Do NOT verify information the caller provides — instead, independently verify the caller's identity
- Never confirm or provide: SSN, Medicare/Medicaid ID, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, or PINs
- If they claim to be from your bank: hang up and call the number on the back of your card
- If they claim to be from the IRS: hang up (the IRS sends letters first; irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance)
- If they demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or Zelle to a stranger: hang up — this is always a scam
- If they say "don't tell your bank" or "don't tell your family": hang up immediately — these are scammer instructions
- If they ask you to stay on the line while you drive to the bank or ATM: hang up immediately
- If they offer to send a "verification code" by text and ask you to read it back: hang up — they are using your own bank's 2FA against you
You're allowed to say: "I need to verify who you are before I provide any information. I'm going to hang up and call your organization directly using the number on your official website." A legitimate caller will understand and welcome this. A scammer will try to prevent you from hanging up — which is itself confirmation that something is wrong.
After the Call
If you received a suspicious call — whether you answered or not — these steps protect you and help authorities track the scammers.
- Document the number, date, time, and what the caller said (or what the voicemail contained)
- Report the number to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — include as much detail as possible
- Report to the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov for robocall and spoofing violations
- Block the number on your phone: iPhone (tap the "i" next to the number → Block this Caller); Android (call log → tap the number → Block/Report spam)
- If you gave any personal information, act immediately: place a credit freeze and/or file at IdentityTheft.gov
- If you lost money, report to your state Attorney General AND the FTC — some state AGs have victim recovery programs
- Share the scam number with family and friends who might receive the same call
- Leave a report at 800notes.com or WhoCallsMe.com to warn others — user reports are often the first warning of new scam campaigns
Monthly Security Habits
Phone scam protection is not a one-time setup. Scammers continuously adapt their numbers, techniques, and targets. A monthly security review takes about 20 minutes:
- Check your carrier account for unauthorized SIM change or port requests (review account activity log)
- Verify your carrier account PIN is still active and hasn't been changed without your authorization
- Review your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com — all three bureaus are free weekly
- Check whether any new accounts have been opened in your name at myEquifax.com, Experian.com, and TransUnion.com
- Update the call blocking/labeling app on your phone (Hiya, Nomorobo, RoboKiller — whichever you use)
- Review app permissions on your phone — remove microphone and contact access from apps that don't need it
- Check HaveIBeenPwned.com (haveibeenpwned.com) to see if your email or phone appeared in any new data breaches
- Review your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized small-dollar charges (often used to test stolen card data before larger fraud)
Emergency Contacts to Keep Handy
Post these numbers and URLs somewhere accessible — not just in your phone, in case your phone is compromised or you're locked out of accounts during an active fraud incident.
- FTC Fraud Report: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357
- FCC Complaint: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or 1-888-225-5322
- Identity Theft Recovery: IdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338
- IRS Phone Scam Reports: phishing@irs.gov (forward spoofed emails/texts)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint: IC3.gov
- Equifax Fraud Alert/Freeze: 1-888-766-0008 or equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
- Experian Fraud Alert/Freeze: 1-888-397-3742 or experian.com/help
- TransUnion Fraud Alert/Freeze: 1-800-680-7289 or transunion.com/credit-help
- Your bank's fraud line: Number on the back of your debit/credit card (not a number a caller provides)
- Your carrier's fraud line: AT&T 1-800-331-0500; T-Mobile 1-800-937-8997; Verizon 1-800-922-0204
- AARP Fraud Helpline: 1-877-908-3360 (free counseling for scam victims of all ages)
- DOJ National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (for victims 60 and older)