10 phrases scammers use that signal it’s time to end the call
Ever get a phone call that makes your gut do a little flip-flop? You know the type—an unknown number. A voice promises a free cruise to the Bahamas. (Spoiler: it’s fake!) Or, even scarier, they warn that the IRS is sending a SWAT team to your doorstep.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, representing a 25% increase from the previous year. The most commonly reported scam category was imposter scams.
Scammers are masters of manipulation, and they rely on specific, high-pressure language to trick you. They want to get you so flustered that you can’t think straight. But what if you knew their script? What if you could spot their game from a mile away?
Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on their tactics. Here are the top 10 phrases scammers use that should be your immediate signal to hang up the phone.
“You must verify your account information.”
This one is a classic for a reason. You get a call, supposedly from your bank or credit card company, telling you there’s been a “suspicious transaction” on your account. All you have to do to fix it is “verify” your full name, address, Social Security number, and maybe even your PIN. It sounds plausible, right?
Legitimate companies won’t call unexpectedly, asking for sensitive details—they already have them. If they need to confirm your identity, they use secure methods, never asking for your password or PIN. If you didn’t contact them first, you can’t be sure who they are.
“Don’t tell anyone about this call.”
This is a massive, blaring, neon red flag. Scammers want to isolate you because they know their scheme can’t stand up to a second opinion. They’ll spin a story about how the matter is “confidential” or that your family “can’t be trusted.”
I once heard about a scammer who told a grandmother her grandson was in trouble and that telling anyone would only make it worse. They try to trap you in a bubble of secrecy.
I would like to point out that real organizations never ask you to hide conversations from family or advisors. Secrecy only helps scammers—don’t let them involve you in your own scam.
“You’ve won a prize, but you need to pay the fees first.”
Congratulations! You’ve just won a brand-new car, a luxury vacation, or a million-dollar lottery you don’t remember entering. There’s just one tiny catch: you need to pay a small fee for “processing,” “taxes,” or “shipping.” It seems like a small price to pay for such an amazing prize, doesn’t it?
Well, let’s be crystal clear: legitimate contests do not require you to pay money to claim your prize, as highlighted by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Any request for a fee, no matter how small or official-sounding, is a dead giveaway that you’re being scammed. The only thing you’ll get in return for your money is a lighter wallet and a lesson learned.
“This is the IRS, and you owe back taxes.”
It is designed to strike fear into the heart of even the most honest taxpayer. The caller sounds official, uses intimidating language, and threatens you with immediate arrest or legal action if you don’t pay immediately.
Here’s the deal: the real IRS initiates first contact through official mail, not by surprise calls, as confirmed on their official website. They will not demand immediate payment over the phone.
If you get a call like this, hang up and block the number. The IRS is not going to send a task force to your house because of a phone call.
“Move your money to protect it.”
This trick is ruthless because it preys on your desire to keep your savings safe. The scammer might pretend to be from your bank’s fraud department and claim your account has been compromised.
They’ll then instruct you to “protect” your money by moving it to a new “safe” account—which, of course, they control.
No real bank will ever tell you to withdraw cash or transfer your money elsewhere for safety. They have security systems to protect you. If you hear this, you’re talking to one.
“You must pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency.”
If someone requests payment with a gift card, it’s a warning sign of a scam. People often pick gift cards (along with wire and crypto transfers) because they’re similar to cash — very hard to trace or recover.
I remember my friend’s dad almost fell for this. A “tech support” person told him he needed to pay for a virus removal service with $300 in Google Play gift cards. Thankfully, my friend walked in and asked why his 70-year-old dad was buying gaming cards.
No legitimate business, and certainly no government agency, will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards.
“Don’t hang up while you handle this.”
Scammers want to maintain control of the situation from start to finish. They’ll tell you to stay on the line while you drive to the bank, withdraw money, or go to the store to buy those infamous gift cards.
Doing this, they ensure you don’t have a moment to think clearly or ask for help. They might coach you on what to tell tellers or clerks who get suspicious. It’s all to keep you confused and isolated. An honest company won’t guide you through a transaction like this.
“Your computer has been hacked.”
This is the classic tech support scam. You receive a call from someone claiming to be from a well-known tech company. They inform you that your computer has been sending out error signals or has been infected with a virus.
They then offer to fix it for you, which usually involves giving them remote access to your device. Giving a stranger remote access is as risky as handing over your house keys.
“Only say what I tell you to say.”
This phrase is a direct command to lie, and it’s a crystal-clear sign that you’re in the middle of a scam. The scammer knows that other people, like bank employees or even your own family members, might recognize what’s happening and try to intervene.
To prevent this, they coach you on precisely what to say to throw people off the scent. They might tell you to say the money is for a “family emergency” or a “home renovation.”
Any time someone tells you to deceive another person, you are being manipulated. It’s time to end that call immediately and talk to someone you trust.
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