They contacted you
When you contact a business, you know who's on the other end of the line. But when someone contacts you first, you can't be certain they're telling the truth. You don't know if they are whom they say they are. And remember, email addresses and caller ID information can be faked.
They dangle bait—usually money
Let's face it: People simply don't give away large sums of money easily. If someone dangles bait in front of you—a big prize, a shopping spree, an easy loan — for nothing, they're probably lying.
They want your personal information
Anytime anyone asks for your personal information — bank accounts, social security number, etc. — you should be on alert. Don't give it away quickly or easily, especially to someone you don't know. You may become a victim of identity theft.
You have to pay them first
If someone offers you a prize, debt relief, or employment — but first you have to pay an upfront fee to get it —you're probably being scammed.
You have to wire money or send gift cards
If you're about to wire money or send gift cards to someone in order to receive a prize, or pay off a debt collector that contacts you ... STOP! This may be a scammer trying to take your money.
What It Looks (or Sounds) Like:
An unknown number, possibly local
Caller ID shows a bank, insurance company, or government agency
You pick up the phone, and before you can say anything, a voice starts introducing itself
The caller claims to be an employee of an agency, speaking quickly, professionally, and confidently. They might provide personal information about you, like your immigration status or where you study or work, and then inform you of a problem while asking you to verify your personal information.
What It Actually Is:
A potential scammer or robocall
Caller ID spoofing, where the caller disguises their number with legitimate ones
A robocall featuring a recorded message that prompts you to press a button or follow certain steps
A potential scammer who may have gathered your information online, using a fast and confident delivery to overwhelm you, making you anxious about the issue and less suspicious.
Common scenarios:
IRS Calls: Scammers pose as the Internal Revenue Service, threatening arrest or deportation for unpaid taxes, then request your credit or debit card information.
SSA Calls: Impersonating the Social Security Administration, these calls might claim you’re eligible for a cost-of-living increase, mention "SSA computers are down," or refer to Medicare enrollment, asking you to verify personal details like your Social Security number.
Prize and Lottery Scams: Callers inform you that you've won a prize but then ask for a registration or shipping fee. Once you pay, you discover there is no prize.
Tuition Payment Scams: Fraudulent organizations claim to be affiliated with your university, offering tuition discounts or currency exchange deals, trying to confuse you about the official payment process.
What It Looks Like:
An email from someone sharing a detailed story about why they need your help or money, claiming it will be a beneficial investment for you. They often ask you to reply and engage in conversation to build trust, sometimes including a phone number for questions.
An email featuring advertisements or notifications about winning a prize, containing a link that could be either hyperlinked text or an image.
An email that may appear professional and related to work or school, accompanied by attachments.
What It Actually Is:
A scammer attempting to obtain your personal information or money by fostering trust through conversation.
A fake link leading to a fraudulent website where any information you enter is unsafe, or one that downloads a virus onto your computer.
An attachment containing a virus designed to steal your information or give the scammer access to your computer. Some viruses, like keyloggers, operate invisibly, recording your keystrokes to capture sensitive information like passwords.
Common scenarios:
Service Provider Emails: Messages that seem to come from your bank or another service provider, urging you to click a link and enter your login credentials.
Emails from Notable Figures: Emails claiming to be from a celebrity or government official—real or fictional—asking for your assistance or offering to invest in something with you. They often prompt you to respond or click a link if you're interested.
Scholarship or Honor Society Invitations: Emails that appear professional, using your name and school to enhance credibility, often sent after grades are released. They typically link to a seemingly legitimate website where you’re asked to provide personal information or pay a fee to join the society.
Another common scam to be aware of is the "hello" random text message scam. In this scheme, you receive a text from an unknown number that simply says "hello" or something similar. When you respond, the scammer may try to engage you in conversation or ask for personal information, potentially leading to identity theft or further scams.
What to Do: If you receive a suspicious text, do not respond or engage. Block the number and report it to your mobile carrier. Be cautious about sharing personal information, even if the conversation seems harmless.
Facebook Marketplace scams are also prevalent. In these scams, fraudsters post fake listings for products at attractive prices to lure in buyers. Once you express interest, they may ask for payment upfront, often using methods that make it difficult to recover your money, or they might claim the item is unavailable after you’ve paid. Always exercise caution and verify sellers before making any transactions online.
What to Do: Always verify the seller’s profile and look for reviews or ratings before making a purchase. Avoid making payments through unsecure methods. If a deal seems too good to be true, trust your instincts and consider looking for alternatives. Additionally, never share your address with someone you don’t know, as this can put your safety at risk.
A blackmailer’s mission is to scare you into sending them money by threatening to distribute private content—from your computer or phone, or shared with them over an email, text, or social media—that could embarrass you. They might ask you to wire them money, or send it using a mobile app, a gift card, or cryptocurrency. Sometimes these scammers are complete strangers and other times they might be someone you met online and thought you could trust.
What to do: Try to stay calm in spite of blackmailers’ intimidation and high-pressure tactics. Stop communicating with them and don’t pay them. Keep all messages as evidence to help law enforcement. Keep in mind that you don’t need to deal with this alone.
If you’re a minor, let an adult you trust know what’s happening and report the threat to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
Report blackmail to the police and to your local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field office , by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov. You can also report threats involving the internet, such as when a mobile payment app is involved, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov . If the threat involves social media, consider reporting it to the social media company.
Man-in-the-middle scams are cyberattacks where scammers deceive you into connecting to a fake network or website, or into clicking on a fraudulent QR code, text, or email link. Once you do, they can monitor your actions and steal sensitive information, including account logins, passwords, and financial data. Scammers may also impersonate someone you’re communicating with—such as your real estate or settlement agent during a mortgage closing—leading you to believe you’re sending payment to a trusted individual when it’s actually going to the scammer.
What to do: Avoid public wireless networks and free charging stations in public places. Don’t click on QR codes or links, or download attachments, in unsolicited texts or emails. Carefully examine email addresses and website URLs, even if they appear to be from someone you know. Before you send money, verify that the person you know is the one requesting it and that you have the correct payment information. If you think you’ve been impacted by a man-in the-middle scam, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Impostor scammers try to trick you into sending money or sharing account details by pretending to be someone you know or trust, like a government employee. Older adults are often targeted, receiving calls from scammers using names of CFPB employees. The CFPB will never contact you about paying fees or taxes related to a class-action lawsuit or lottery, nor will you need to provide personal information to cash a check from us.
What to do: Remember, caller ID and emails can be faked, voices can be cloned, and images can be altered. Call the bank, company, organization, or government agency directly and ask if the person works for them and if there really is a problem. Read more about impostor scams.
In a lottery or prize scam, scammers may call, text, or email you, claiming you've won a prize in a lottery or sweepstakes. They often ask for an upfront payment for fees and taxes. Sometimes, they even pretend to be from a federal agency like the CFPB.
What to do: Avoid providing any personal or financial information, including credit cards or Social Security numbers, to anyone you don’t know. Also, never make an upfront payment for a promised prize, especially if they demand immediate payment. Learn more about lottery or prize scam red flags.
A charity scam occurs when a fraudster pretends to be a legitimate charity or invents a convincing charity name to solicit money from you.
These scams often spike during the holidays and after disasters like storms or wildfires. Be cautious if a charity calls asking for donations, especially if they reference a pledge you don’t recall. Watch out for scammers using social media live streams, altered images, or AI-generated content to solicit funds. They typically request online payments, often in cryptocurrency, to quickly access your money.
What to do: Ask for detailed information about the charity, including address and phone number. Look up the charity through their website or a trusted third-party source to confirm that the charity is real. See more steps to take to avoid a charity scam.
Con artists often use money and wire transfers to steal from individuals. If someone you don’t know asks you to send money, even claiming to be from a government agency, it's a red flag.
To protect your money, only use mobile payment services with family, friends, and trusted contacts. Be cautious even when familiar people ask for money—always verify their identity before sending anything.
What to do: Never send money to someone you don’t know. If you think you made a money transfer or mobile app payment to a scammer, contact your bank or the company you used to send the money immediately and alert them that there may have been an unauthorized transaction. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
A romance scam occurs when someone tricks you into falling for them, only to exploit you for money. These scams often start online, with scammers taking time to build trust and create the illusion of a real relationship before asking for money, loans, or access to your finances.
What to do: Be careful about who you connect with and what information you share online, or over texts or social media. Don’t send money or share sensitive personal information, such as bank account or credit card numbers or a Social Security number, with a new love connection. Learn more about how to avoid romance scams.
Scammers exploit mobile payment apps to trick people into sending money or merchandise without fulfilling their promises. For instance, they might offer concert or sports tickets, or sell a puppy, but never deliver the items. Alternatively, a scammer might buy something from you, seem to send payment, and then cancel it before the funds reach your account.
What to do: Never send money to someone you don’t know. If you think you made a payment to a scammer, contact your bank or the company you used to send the money immediately and alert them that there may have been an unauthorized transaction. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Hang Up on Prompted Calls: If you answer the phone and the caller—whether a person or a recording—asks you to press a button to stop receiving calls, simply hang up. Scammers often use this tactic to identify potential victims.
Avoid Responding to Questions: Don’t answer any questions, especially those that can be responded to with "Yes."
Protect Your Personal Information: Never share personal details such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords in response to unexpected calls, especially if you feel suspicious.
Verify the Caller’s Identity: If someone claims to represent a company or government agency, hang up and call the official number listed on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the organization’s website to confirm the legitimacy of the request. Legitimate sources usually send written confirmation before contacting you by phone, especially if they’re asking for payment.
Be Wary of Pressure Tactics: If you feel pressured to provide information quickly, proceed with caution.
Secure Your Voicemail: If you have voicemail service, set a password for it. Some systems allow access just by calling from your own number, which can be exploited by hackers who spoof your phone number.
Inquire About Call Blocking Options: Talk to your phone provider about available call-blocking tools and consider downloading apps that can help filter unwanted calls on your mobile device.
Report Robocallers: If you’re already using robocall-blocking technology, inform the provider about numbers that are still getting through, so they can help block those calls for you and others.
Register for the Do Not Call List: To reduce telemarketing calls, register your number with the Do Not Call List. Reputable telemarketers check this list to avoid calling numbers that are registered.
Specific Guidelines:
Keep in mind that the IRS/DHS/CBP (or any government office) will never:
Call you demanding immediate payment. They will always send you a bill in the mail first if you owe taxes or other fees or fines.
Insist that you pay your taxes or fines without allowing you to question or appeal the amount owed.
Require you to pay taxes or fines in a specific way, such as using a prepaid debit card.
Request your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
Threaten to involve police or other agencies to arrest you for unpaid taxes or fines.
If you don’t owe taxes or fines or have no reason to believe you do:
Do not provide any information. Hang up immediately.
Report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) using their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” webpage, or by calling 800-366-4484.
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov, and include "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax or fines: Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you.
Threaten you.
Suspend your Social Security number.
Demand immediate payment.
Require payment in cash, gift cards, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or via wire transfer.
Request gift card numbers over the phone or ask you to wire or mail cash.
If you receive such communication, contact the SSA to verify its authenticity. If the SSA cannot confirm the legitimacy of the communication, report it to the SSA Office of Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Think Before You Click: Always think before clicking on a link. Links can be misleading; hover your mouse over them to check their actual destination. On a smartphone, press and hold the link to reveal where it leads. Alternatively, manually search for the website you want to visit, like your online banking login page, instead of clicking a link in an email.
Avoid Responding to Suspicious Emails: Do not reply to emails that seem suspicious, especially those claiming to be from well-known figures, as they would never contact you directly.
Watch Out for Fake Websites: If you click a link and the website’s URL does not start with “https://” (or if there’s no lock symbol next to the URL), be cautious. Always look for “https://” rather than just “http://”.
Protect Your Personal Information: Never share personal details such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords in response to unexpected emails or on questionable websites.
Be Cautious with Attachments: If an email with an attachment comes from an unknown source, delete it immediately. If it appears to be from someone you trust but is unexpected, call the person directly to verify if they sent it.
Verify Contact Information: Don’t trust any contact details provided in the email. Instead, visit the official website of the organization to obtain their contact information directly.
If you receive a message which you suspect may be a phishing attack, click the "Report Spam" icon at the top of your email.
Report identity theft (SSN theft):
Contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov.
Notify the IRS at www.irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection or by calling 1-800-908-4490. This helps prevent tax-fraud thieves from filing returns in your name and collecting your refund.
Inform law enforcement by calling 911 or the ACU Police Department at (325) 674-2911 .
To report tax scams:
Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml or call 800-366-4484. Also, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The FTC accepts complaints on various issues, including identity theft, telemarketing scams, and credit scams. You can learn more at www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint-ftc.
To submit a complaint to the FTC, visit www.ftc.gov/complaint.
To report internet crimes (including SSN theft, advance-fee schemes, romance schemes, non-delivery of goods or services, computer hacking, or employment/business opportunity schemes):
Contact ACU police
Contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers state-by-state information on reporting immigration scams and fraud. You can find this information at www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/report-immigration-scams.
Contact your bank immediately to freeze all transactions before attempting to transfer funds to another account (such as through online banking).