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Safety & Scams

Steps checked against official help pages. Last checked: Oct 15, 2026

How to Spot a Scam Call, Text, or Email

What this helps with: Learning the common signs of a scam so you can stop, check, and stay in control.

Most calls, texts, and emails you get are real. But scammers do try to trick people, and they use the same few tricks again and again. Once you know them, they get much easier to spot.

The 5 warning signs

  1. They say you must act right now. Scammers rush you so you don’t stop to think. Honest businesses give you time.
  2. They say there’s a problem, or a prize. “Your account is locked.” “There’s a charge you didn’t make.” “You won a prize, just pay a fee.” These are common tricks.
  3. They ask you to pay in an odd way. Only scammers insist you pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
  4. They ask for private information. Real government agencies won’t call you out of the blue to ask for your Social Security number. Your bank won’t text you a link to “confirm” your password.
  5. They pretend to be someone you trust. That could be the IRS, Social Security, your bank, a well-known company, or even a grandchild. The name or number on your screen can be faked.

What to do

  1. Pause. You never have to decide right away. It’s fine to say “I’ll call you back.”
    • What you’ll tap: On a call, tap the red End button. You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
  2. Don’t tap links or open attachments in a message you weren’t expecting.
    • What you’ll tap: Nothing in the message. Just close it.
  3. Check for yourself. Call the company or person at a number you already know is real, such as the number on the back of your bank card or in your own contacts. Don’t use the number or link in the message.
  4. Report it. Your report helps stop scammers.
    • Text message: forward it to 7726 (the number spells “SPAM”).
    • Email: forward it to reportphishing@apwg.org.
    • Any scam: tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • What you’ll tap: For a text, press and hold the message, tap More or Forward, then type 7726 as the number to send to.
  5. Delete the message after you report it.

If something goes wrong

  • If you already paid: Call the company you paid through (your bank, card company, gift card company, or wire service) right away. Tell them it was a scam and ask for your money back. It’s worth asking, however you paid.
  • If you gave out your Social Security number: Go to IdentityTheft.gov for steps to take.
  • If you gave out a password: Change it now. If you use that same password anywhere else, change it there too.
  • If someone offers to “get your money back” for a fee: That is usually a second scam. Don’t pay.
  • It’s not your fault. Scammers fool careful, smart people every day. Telling a family member or friend can help.

Official sources

Last checked: Oct 15, 2026

This is general help, not personalized tech support, and not legal or financial advice. If you think you’ve lost money, contact your bank and the official sources above.

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