Free guide
Phone scams and how to protect a loved one
Most scams start with a phone call or a text. A few simple habits, set up together, make a big difference.
Short answer
Phone scammers fake caller ID, copy voices with AI, and push for fast payment by gift card, wire, crypto, or cash. Hang up, call back on a number you already know, and use a family safe word for any urgent call about money.
Common phone scams
Voice-cloned family emergency calls
A call sounds like a grandchild or child who has been in an accident or arrested. The voice may be copied with AI from short online clips. The caller begs for money and secrecy.
Spoofed caller ID
Caller ID shows a real bank, police department, Medicare, Social Security, the IRS, or the utility company. Scammers can fake the number that appears. They may say an account is frozen, a warrant is out, or power will be shut off today.
Can you hear me calls
A caller asks a simple yes or no question, such as "Can you hear me?" The FCC advises not answering yes or no questions from unexpected callers. Just hang up.
Robocalls and text scams
Recorded calls and texts offer prizes, warn about a package, or claim a problem with an account, with a link or a number to press. Do not press buttons or tap links. Most carriers let you forward spam texts to 7726.
Tech support callbacks
A pop-up or call says the computer is infected and gives a number to call. The person on the line asks for remote access or payment. Real tech companies do not call out of the blue.
Payment demands
Any caller who wants payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, a payment app, or cash picked up by a courier is a scammer. No real agency or business asks for this.
Protections to set up together
- Choose a family safe word, and ask for it on any urgent call about money.
- Hang up and call back on a number you already know. Do not use a number the caller gives.
- Never pay by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency, or cash courier.
- Turn on the carrier's call blocking and spam filters, and the phone's own setting to silence or screen unknown callers. The FCC lists tools from the major carriers.
- Register the phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry.
- Help your loved one set up their phone: save family and key numbers as contacts, set a voicemail password, and put the by the phone card next to the phone.
Common questions
Can scammers really copy a family member's voice?
Yes. Scammers can use short voice clips from social media or videos to make a call sound like a loved one. A family safe word and a call back to the person's known number are simple checks.
Should I answer calls from numbers I do not know?
The FCC suggests not answering calls from unknown numbers. If you do answer and something feels wrong, hang up. A real caller can leave a message.
What if caller ID shows my bank or the police?
Caller ID can be faked, which is called spoofing. Hang up and call the number on the back of the bank card or the official website.
How do I sign up for the Do Not Call Registry?
Register for free at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It reduces sales calls, though scammers ignore it, so call blocking still helps.
If money or personal information was shared, contact the bank and the official resources listed here.
Official resources
- FCC: Stop unwanted robocalls and texts
- FCC: Caller ID spoofing
- FCC: Call blocking tools and resources
- National Do Not Call Registry
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Social Security Administration: Protect yourself from scams
- AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360 (free, for anyone)
Links go to public national resources. Kinhaven is not affiliated with them.
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