How to spot a scam call or text

Most scam calls and texts follow the same script. Once you know it, they get much easier to spot, and much less frightening.

The four signs of a scam

Almost every scam has at least one of these. Many have all four.

1. It’s urgent. Your account will be closed today. A warrant is out for your arrest. Your grandson is in jail. Scammers rush you so you don’t stop to think or call someone.
2. It comes out of the blue. You didn’t call them. They called or texted you, often from a number you don’t know, or one that looks local.
3. They want an unusual payment. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, a payment app like Zelle, or cash handed to a courier. Real companies and government offices don’t ask for these.
4. They ask you to keep it quiet. "Don’t tell your bank." "Don’t tell your family." That’s the biggest giveaway of all.

Common scripts to watch for

• The "grandchild in trouble" call. A young-sounding voice says "Grandma, it’s me," then asks for bail or hospital money. Voices can now be faked with software, so a familiar-sounding voice isn’t proof.
• The fake bank or fraud department. They say there’s a suspicious charge and ask you to "verify" your card number, a code sent by text, or to move money to a "safe account."
• The package or toll text. "Your delivery is on hold" or "You have an unpaid toll," with a link. In our area these often name E-ZPass or the Postal Service.
• The tech support pop-up. A loud warning on your computer says it’s infected and gives a number to call. Microsoft and Apple don’t put phone numbers in pop-ups.
• The government call. Someone claiming to be from Social Security, Medicare or the IRS says there’s a problem with your benefits or taxes.

Settings that cut down the noise

These take a few minutes and stop a lot of scam calls before your phone even rings. Menu names change a little between phone models and updates.

• iPhone calls: open Settings, then Apps, then Phone. Turn on Silence Unknown Callers (on newer versions you may see Screen Unknown Callers). Callers who aren’t in your contacts go to voicemail.
• iPhone texts: in Settings, then Apps, then Messages, turn on Filter Unknown Senders. Texts from strangers go to a separate list.
• Android: open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings. Look for Caller ID & spam or Block numbers and turn on spam filtering.
• Your carrier: Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile each offer free spam call blocking in their apps.

Add family, doctors and your pharmacy to your contacts so their calls still come through.

What to say when a caller pushes you

You don’t owe a stranger a conversation. "I don’t do business over the phone. I’ll call the number on my statement," then hang up. That’s it. A real bank or agency will be fine with that.

Reporting a scam

• Forward scam texts to 7726 (it spells SPAM). This works with the major US carriers.
• Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. Scammers ignore it, but it cuts down on legitimate sales calls, which makes the scam calls easier to spot.

If you already paid or shared information, read what to do after you click a scam link. Acting quickly makes a real difference.