Scammer Alert: 12 Phone Phrases That Mean You're Being Scammed (and What to Do)

scam phrases, elderly couple. — Elderly couple looking at their phone. Image source: Shutterstock.

First investigated in 1982, Richard Allen Minsky, a notorious telephone scammer, built a decades-long career defrauding and assaulting hundreds of women across multiple U.S. states by cold-calling from phone books and impersonating authority figures. He manipulated victims with fabricated emergencies involving loved ones in legal peril, coercing payments or sexual favors under threats of imprisonment, often escalating to theft of thousands and violent assaults at arranged meetings.

Convicted over 80 times for crimes including rape, extortion, and grand theft, Minsky evaded capture using aliases until his 1999 arrest, resulting in a 146-year-to-life sentence. His schemes starkly illustrate the perils of phone fraud, and the things some criminals will try to steal from you.

To prevent this, this article identifies 12 common phrases that should immediately raise red flags for a scammer alert. However, awareness and other preventative measures can help protect you from falling victim to these deceitful tactics.

1. “This is an urgent public service announcement.”

When you hear this, your first reaction might be to listen closely and act quickly. Scammers use this phrase to create a sense of urgency, mimicking official alerts. The intentional use of this phrase causes people to bypass rational thinking and act without skepticism. But remember, genuine public services have other ways of getting in touch. Always double-check these alerts by contacting official sources through their verified channels.

2. “You have won a free vacation!”

It’s exciting to imagine vacations to sandy beaches and sunny skies, especially if it’s free. However, these offers are often too good to be true. Furthermore, they may lead to phishing attempts or hidden costs. This phrase is a classic hook for scams and should automatically put you on high alert. Always ignore such claims and report suspicious numbers to consumer protection agencies.

3. “I need to verify your account details.”

This is a common tactic among scammers pretending to be representatives from your bank or a service provider. These types of scams have become even more common following a data breach. However, no credible organization would ask for sensitive details outright. Therefore, this phrase should be an immediate scammer alert.

When data breaches happen, organizations establish processes and procedures to contain them. If you receive such a request, hang up. Do not share any personal information. Instead, contact the institution directly using a known and secure method.

4. “There’s a problem with your payment.”

This phrase preys on your fear of financial mishaps. Scammers know that people will do whatever is necessary to avoid additional fees and disruption of service. They use this phrase in the hope of catching you off guard so you provide them with payment information out of panic.

Rather than sharing your account information, check the validity of their claims first. Always verify any payment issues by logging into your account independently or calling customer service directly. These measures could prevent you from wasting time and money.

5. “Confirm your identity with your password.”

If you hear this one, it’s a major red flag! Legitimate companies and government agencies understand the security risks of sharing personal information. In fact, policies prevent them from asking for your password or security code over the phone.

When you hear this phrase, end the call immediately. Then, report the incident to the company being impersonated or the government agency being impersonated. It could help prevent others from falling victim to these scams.

Stressed man on the telephone. Image Source: Shutterstock.

6. “This is your final warning.”

Using threats of legal or financial consequences is a common tactic to intimidate people. However, it is also often a scammer alert. Real organizations do not operate this way and will provide ample opportunity for resolution through proper channels. When you get this call, don’t panic. Instead, keep calm, don’t engage, do some homework and seek professional advice if needed.

7. “You owe taxes and must pay immediately.”

This scam becomes especially prevalent around tax season and plays on people’s deep-seated fear of owing money to the government. Taxes induce a sense of anxiety for most citizens, and scammers exploit these feelings for their own gain. Remember, the IRS communicates through mail, not unexpected phone calls. You can always verify any tax claims directly through official IRS channels to protect your finances.

8. “We’ve noticed suspicious activity on your account.”

This is bank / credit card fraud. The scammers are attempting to impersonate your bank or credit card company to steal from you.

By suggesting that your account is at risk, scammers aim to make you act hastily to ‘protect’ your assets. However, impulsive decisions could put you at greater risk. This phrase is a trick to psychologically pressure you to reveal your personal information or financial details. Never disclose these details if someone contacts you. Instead, reach out to your bank directly using official numbers, not those provided during a suspicious call.

9. “I’m calling from tech support.”

If you didn’t request assistance, why would tech support call you? The answer shouldn’t surprise you. This is a tactic to gain access to your computer or personal information under the guise of fixing an issue. Some scammers are after information while others seek to sell you useless software. Don’t become an unsuspecting victim. Always verify the legitimacy of the call by using a reverse phone lookup tool or contacting the company they claim to be representing.

If you get this call, hang up. Legitimate tech companies will not cold-call. If concerned, call a known number or go to the tech supports official page.

10. “Can you hear me?”

According to the US Public Interest Group, in 2024 Americans received about 2.14 billion scam calls per month. While many of these were legitimate marketing calls, the increased use of AI and voice recording devices introduces the possibility that some consumers may be subject to voice recording scams design for impersonate and identity theft.

The “can you hear me?” question, seems harmless, right? Unfortunately, it’s not. It’s a method for scammers to record your voice saying “Yes,” which they can use to authorize fraudulent charges. When you hear this question, it’s best to hang up immediately. Then, check your accounts and statements for any unauthorized activity.

11. “Please make a donation.”

Charity scams prey on your generosity, often during times of crisis. Variations on the “please make a donation” fraud include phrases like “We’re collecting emergency donations for [disaster / charity],” or “Your donation can save lives – can we process it now?”

However, disasters do happen, and people in them do have legitimate needs. So this shouldn’t prevent you from donating to causes and organizations you want to support. To ensure your donation goes to a legitimate cause, donate directly through trusted organizations’ websites instead. Considering using CharityNavigator.org or Give.org to verify that the organization is legitimate. And don’t give your payment information over unsolicited calls.

12. “You must decide right now.”

Use of the phrase “you must decide right now” is a red flag for an illegal scam. The perpetrators of these shenanigans use high-pressure tactics to force a quick decision. The goal is to get you to commit before you have the chance to think it through or consult others.

However, you should never act impulsively when you make important decisions. Instead, take your time, seek advice, and never make hasty financial commitments over the phone or via email. Instead of responding to the high pressure tactic, simply hang up the phone and take your time.

Prevention and Awareness

Quick universal tip: If you hear any of these, don’t engage. Hang up and and report the number to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your phone carrier. The FTC will share the report with law enforcement, which can help with getting scammers investigated or prosecuted.

Also, if you have the time, report the call to your phone carrier.

For T-Mobile, you can report it at this link: https://callreporting.t-mobile.com/
For AT&T, you can call their fraud reporting number: 877.844.5584.

The phrases in this article are all designed to trigger fear, greed, or urgency—your best defense is to get off the phone and report them.

By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to these common scams. Remember, if something sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it usually is. So if you hear any of these phrases, it should be a red flag and scammer alert. Stay safe and help others stay informed of tactics such as these.

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Editors Note: For this story, SavingAdvice used generative AI to help with some sections of the article. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.

James Hendrickson

James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, digital publishing junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.