Scam alerts
Scammers change their tricks all the time. Each alert shows what the scam looks like and what to do, with words you can text to someone you love. We only use warnings from the FTC and FBI, and we link to them.
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Phone call or text message
Your phone says it's your bank, the police or your grandson. It can be faked.
Scammers can make a call or text show a real number or name you trust. This is called spoofing. Here's what the FCC, FTC and FBI say to do.
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Phone call
A call sounds just like your grandkid, and they need money fast
Scammers can copy a loved one's voice with AI and call asking for money. The FTC and FBI say: hang up and call your family member yourself.
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Text message, then a phone call
A text from your bank's "fraud department" asks about a charge
A text says it's your bank asking if you made a purchase. Replying or calling back can lead to a scammer draining your account. Here's what the FTC says to do.
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Pop-up, then phone calls
A pop-up says you've been hacked, then the "bank" and the "government" call
The FBI calls it the Phantom Hacker scam. It starts with a fake virus warning and ends with you moving your savings. Here's how to spot it and stop it.
One rule to remember
If someone contacts you and asks for money, a password or a code, stop. Hang up or close it. Then contact the person or company yourself, using a number you already know.
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