Phone scams have become so common that police departments across the country are now issuing warnings about specific phrases that should make you hang up right away. Criminals are getting smarter about impersonating law enforcement, government officials, and even tech support representatives. They use fear tactics and urgent language to catch people off guard. The good news is that real police and government agencies follow specific protocols that scammers don’t know about. Learning these red flags can save you from losing money or having your personal information stolen.
Demands for immediate payment over the phone
When someone claiming to be from law enforcement calls and demands money right away, that’s your cue to end the call. Real police officers will never call you and threaten arrest unless you pay them immediately. This scam has been going on for years, but it still tricks people because the callers sound official and use intimidating language. They might say you have outstanding warrants, unpaid taxes, or missed jury duty. The pressure to act fast is intentional because it stops you from thinking clearly. Sheriff’s offices warn that real deputies will never threaten you with arrest over the phone.
These scammers often ask for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. They know these payment methods are hard to trace and nearly impossible to reverse. Some will even stay on the phone with you while you drive to the store to buy gift cards. They claim this is to “verify” your cooperation or to make sure you don’t flee. If anyone from law enforcement actually needed to collect fines or fees, they would send official paperwork through the mail. You would have time to verify the claim and pay through legitimate channels. The moment someone demands immediate payment over the phone, hang up and call your local police department directly using a number you find yourself.
Requests for personal information like Social Security numbers
Government agencies and police departments already have your personal information on file. They don’t need to call and ask for your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords. When a caller asks for this information, they’re fishing for data they can use to steal your identity or drain your accounts. These scammers sometimes claim they need to verify your identity or update their records. They might say your Social Security number has been suspended or compromised. None of this is how the real system works. Your Social Security number can’t be suspended, and legitimate agencies won’t call asking you to confirm it.
The caller might sound professional and have some basic information about you already. They use this to build trust and make their request seem legitimate. They could mention your address, age, or even the names of family members. This information is often gathered from social media or data breaches. Just because they know some details about you doesn’t mean they’re legitimate. Police warn users that anyone demanding sensitive information during an unsolicited call should be treated with suspicion. The safest approach is to hang up and contact the organization directly using official contact information from their website or your bills.
Claims that your computer or device is infected
Tech support scams involve callers claiming they detected a virus or security threat on your computer. They say they’re from Microsoft, Apple, or your internet service provider. The caller might claim they’ve been monitoring your device and noticed suspicious activity. They offer to fix the problem remotely if you just give them access to your computer. Once you grant them remote access, they can install actual malware, steal your files, or lock you out of your own device. Some scammers show fake error messages on your screen to make the threat seem real.
These companies don’t monitor individual computers and won’t call you out of the blue about technical issues. If there’s a problem with your device, you would notice it yourself or your antivirus software would alert you. The scammers often target older adults who might be less familiar with how technology companies operate. They use technical terms and make the situation sound urgent and complicated. After they supposedly fix the nonexistent problem, they charge hundreds of dollars. Some even set up recurring charges that continue draining your account. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued warnings about these scams because they’ve become so widespread. If someone calls claiming your computer has a problem, hang up immediately and run a scan using your own security software.
Threats involving family members being in danger
One of the cruelest scams involves callers claiming your child, grandchild, or other family member has been arrested or is in the hospital. They create a sense of panic by saying your loved one needs bail money or medical expenses paid immediately. The caller might even put someone on the phone who sounds distressed and claims to be your relative. These scammers research their targets on social media to learn names and relationships. They call when they know you might be alone or vulnerable. The emotional manipulation is designed to override your logical thinking.
In reality, if a family member was actually in trouble, you would be contacted through proper channels. Hospitals and police stations have official procedures for notifying family members. They wouldn’t demand immediate payment over the phone before you could even visit or verify the situation. If you get a call like this, hang up and contact your family member directly. Call other relatives who might know where they are. Even if the caller insists you can’t hang up or tells you not to contact anyone else, do it anyway. These high-pressure tactics are specifically designed to keep you from checking the facts. Real emergencies allow time for verification. Scammers know that once you verify their story, the whole scheme falls apart.
Warnings about saying specific words like hello
A newer warning suggests that scammers record your voice when you say words like “yes” or “hello” during phone calls. The theory is that they use these recordings to authorize charges or confirm transactions in your name. While experts debate how effective this tactic actually is, the broader message is clear. Be cautious about what you say when answering calls from unknown numbers. Police urge people not to say anything when answering calls from numbers they don’t recognize.
The safest approach is to let unknown calls go to voicemail. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message. Many smartphones now have features that screen calls or warn you about potential spam. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry, though scammers often ignore these lists. If you do answer an unknown call and hear a pause or automated message, hang up immediately. Don’t press any numbers or say anything in response to questions. These calls often use automated systems that detect when a human answers. Your response confirms your number is active, which leads to even more scam calls. Silence or hanging up immediately is your best defense.
Instructions to keep the call secret from others
Legitimate callers from government agencies or police departments will never tell you to keep your conversation secret. Scammers frequently instruct victims not to tell family members, friends, or even other police officers about the call. They claim the investigation is confidential or that talking to others could interfere with legal proceedings. This isolation tactic prevents you from getting a reality check from someone who could recognize the scam. They know that the moment you describe the situation to another person, you’ll probably realize something is wrong.
Some scammers take this further by threatening additional charges if you discuss the call with anyone. They might say you’ll be charged with obstruction of justice or that your case will get worse. These are empty threats designed to keep you compliant and isolated. Real legal situations don’t work this way. You always have the right to consult with others, hire a lawyer, or seek advice. If a caller insists you must handle something alone and immediately, that’s a major red flag. The FBI warns that you should hang up on any unsolicited call that seems suspicious, even if the source appears trustworthy. Trust your instincts when something feels off about a conversation.
Caller ID showing local police or government numbers
Scammers can fake caller ID information to make it look like they’re calling from a police station, courthouse, or government office. This technique is called spoofing, and it’s surprisingly easy to do. When you see a local number or official-looking name on your screen, you naturally trust the call more. The scammers count on this. They know that caller ID showing your county sheriff’s office or the Internal Revenue Service will make you take them seriously. But seeing an official number on your screen proves nothing about who’s actually calling.
If you receive a call that seems official but something feels wrong, hang up and call the organization back using a number you find independently. Don’t use any callback number the caller provides, and don’t hit redial. Look up the official number online or in a phone book. When you call back, ask if someone from their office tried to contact you. Most of the time, you’ll discover no one from that organization called you at all. This simple step of independent verification stops most scams in their tracks. Real agencies won’t be offended if you hang up and call them back. They understand that people need to protect themselves from scammers who spoof their numbers. Taking an extra five minutes to verify a call can save you thousands of dollars.
Pressure to download apps or software immediately
Some scammers ask you to download remote access software, payment apps, or other programs during the call. They might claim this is necessary to resolve your issue, process a refund, or verify your identity. Popular remote access programs like TeamViewer or AnyDesk are legitimate tools that tech support professionals use, but scammers abuse them. Once you install the software and give them access, they can control your device completely. They can see your passwords when you type them, access your banking apps, and install malware that persists even after the call ends.
Other scammers direct you to download payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App if you don’t already have them. They claim these are the only ways to resolve your supposed problem. Once the app is installed, they walk you through sending money to their account. They might dress it up as a deposit, verification payment, or temporary hold. The urgency is always the same. They need you to do this right now before something bad happens. Legitimate organizations give you time to think and never require you to download something during an unexpected phone call. If someone is pushing you to install anything on your phone or computer while you’re on a call with them, hang up. You can always download software later if you determine the request was legitimate, but you can’t undo giving a scammer access to your device.
Promises of prizes or refunds you didn’t expect
Scammers sometimes start with good news instead of threats. They call to say you’ve won a prize, lottery, or sweepstakes you don’t remember entering. Or they claim you’re owed a refund from a company you might have done business with years ago. The catch comes when they explain you need to pay taxes, processing fees, or shipping costs before receiving your windfall. They might ask for bank account information to deposit your winnings. These scams work because people want to believe they’ve gotten lucky or that someone owes them money.
Real prize organizations don’t require you to pay money to receive winnings. Legitimate refunds don’t require you to provide payment information first. If you actually won something significant, you would receive official documentation by mail, not just a phone call. The same goes for inheritance scams where someone claims you’re the beneficiary of a distant relative’s estate. These callers create elaborate stories about unclaimed money that’s yours if you just pay some fees upfront. They might send fake documents that look official to support their claims. Remember that unexpected good fortune delivered by phone call is almost always a scam. Hang up and resist the temptation to engage with these offers. If there were really money waiting for you, it would still be there after you do proper research to verify the claim.
Phone scams continue to get more sophisticated, but the core tactics remain the same. Scammers rely on fear, urgency, secrecy, and sometimes greed to override your common sense. Real law enforcement and government agencies follow official procedures that don’t involve threatening phone calls demanding immediate payment. When you know what to listen for, these scams become easy to spot. Hanging up on a suspicious call might feel rude, but it’s the smartest thing you can do. Share this information with older relatives and anyone who might be vulnerable to these tactics.
