The most frequent scams
The "family member in trouble"
Someone claims to be your child, grandchild or a police officer and says a relative had an accident or was arrested. They push you to send money fast and not to hang up. Hang up and call your relative directly.
Fake kidnapping or extortion
They say they are holding a family member or threaten you with violence unless you pay. Most of the time nobody has been kidnapped: they rely on panic. Hang up, locate your relative and call 911.
The fake bank
A caller pretends to be your bank and asks for your password, card code, token or a code they "just sent you" by SMS. No bank asks for these by phone. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
Prize or raffle you never entered
You "won" a phone, a car or cash, but must pay a fee or top up a line first. If you have to pay to receive a prize, it is a scam.
The one-ring call (wangiri)
Your phone rings once from an international number so that you call back. Calling back can be charged at premium rates. Do not return calls from countries you do not know.
Fake job offers or loans
Easy loans with no checks or jobs with a great salary that ask for an advance payment, your ID photos or your bank details.
Fake technical support or carrier
They say your line, computer or account will be cut off and ask you to install an app or dictate a code. That app gives them control of your phone.
Warning signs
- They create urgency: "right now", "or you will lose it", "don't hang up".
- They ask for codes, passwords, an advance payment or a top-up.
- They ask you to keep it secret from your family or your bank.
- The story changes when you ask questions.
What to do
Hang up. You don't have to be polite to someone pressuring you. Then search the number on this site to see what other people reported, and add your own comment: it helps the next person.
If you already gave a code or a password, call your bank or carrier immediately from their official number and change your passwords.