Scam & Fraud Protection

Stopping phone, text & robocall scams

The phone is a scammer's favorite tool — it's personal, immediate, and easy to fake. The good news: a few simple habits will stop almost every phone and text scam cold.

The one rule that prevents most phone scams: if someone calls you and asks for money or personal information, hang up. Then, if you're unsure, look up the real number yourself and call back. Real agencies and companies are fine with that.

Why you can't trust the caller ID

Scammers use "spoofing" to make any name or number show up on your phone — your bank, "Social Security," even a local number or a relative's name. Caller ID can be completely fake, so never let it convince you a call is real.

The rules that keep you safe

Let unknown calls go to voicemail. If it matters, they'll leave a message — and you can verify before calling back.
Never give information to an incoming caller — no Social Security number, Medicare number, bank or card numbers, or passwords.
Hang up on pressure. Threats of arrest, lost benefits, or "act now" are the sound of a scam. It's perfectly okay to just hang up.
Never pay by gift card, wire, or crypto — no legitimate caller will ask.
Don't press buttons to "speak to a representative" or "be removed" — it confirms a live number and brings more calls.
Verify independently. Hang up and call the official number from your bill, card, or the agency's real website.

Texts can be scams too ("smishing")

A text claiming a package can't be delivered, your bank account is locked, or you owe a toll — with a link to "fix it" — is almost always a scam. Don't tap the link. Delete it, or go directly to the company's official app or website instead.

Cut down the calls

Register on the National Do Not Call list at DoNotCall.gov (or 1-888-382-1222). It won't stop scammers, but it reduces legitimate telemarketing so the bad calls stand out.
Turn on your phone's call-blocking / “silence unknown callers.” Most cell phones and many carriers offer free spam filtering.

Report it

Report unwanted calls and scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. To report suspected exploitation of an older adult, use your state's hotline — Kansas 1-800-922-5330, Missouri 1-800-392-0210 — and see our fraud-protection guide for more. In an emergency, call 911.

This guide is general information to help you stay safe and is not legal advice.