10: Protect Yourself from Phone Scams

• 5 simple Golden Rules to stay safe from phone scams.
• How to handle suspicious text messages.
• How to handle suspicious phone calls from “banks”, “government”, or “tech support”.
• Why you must never share verification codes or passwords.
• What to do if you are not sure — and what to do if you think you were tricked.

The 5 Golden Rules for Phone Scam Safety

Never trust an unexpected call or text about money or your accounts. If they contacted you out of the blue, treat it as suspicious.

If you only remember one thing, remember this: if someone contacts you about money or your accounts, it is always okay to hang up or delete the message and contact the company yourself using a phone number or app you already trust.

Suspicious text messages (phishing texts)

Many scams arrive as text messages (SMS or iMessage) on your phone. They often try to make you feel worried or excited so that you will tap a link quickly.
Here are examples of scam texts written in plain language (not real links):
• "Your package is waiting. Pay a small fee now: [link]"
• "We locked your bank account. Tap here immediately to unlock: [link]"
• "You have a tax refund waiting. Confirm your details: [link]"
• "Someone tried to log in to your account. Tap here to secure it: [link]"

What to do when you get a strange text:

DO:
• Delete texts that feel odd, urgent, or come from numbers you do not recognize.
• If it claims to be from your bank, delivery company, phone provider, or tax agency, ignore the link. Instead, open their official app, type their website address yourself, or call the number printed on your bank card or on your bill.
• If a text seems to be from a friend or family member asking for money, call them (or another close family member) to check before sending anything.

DON’T:
• Don’t tap links in suspicious texts.
• Don’t reply with personal details like your full name, address, SIN/SSN, or birthdate.
• Don’t send photos of your bank card, driver’s licence, or passport.
• Don’t send money or gift cards because of a text message.

On many phones you can also block or report junk texts. If you are not sure how, ask a trusted family member to show you once and write the steps down.

Suspicious phone calls

Scammers also call people and pretend to be from a bank, a government agency, a tech company, or even a family member. They can fake the caller ID so that it looks like the call is local, or even from a real company.

Common scam calls include:
• “There is a problem with your bank account or credit card.”
• “You owe taxes and must pay right away or we will call the police.”
• “Your computer or phone has a virus. We need remote access to fix it.”
• “Your grandchild is in trouble and needs money immediately.”
• “You won a prize, but you must pay a fee first.”

Safe habits for phone calls:
• Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. If it is important and real, they will usually leave a message.
• If someone says they are from your bank or credit card company, do not give them information on that call. Politely hang up, then call the phone number printed on the back of your card or shown in your official banking app.
• Never read out a verification code, PIN, or password to someone who calls you.
• Hang up immediately if the caller threatens you, tries to scare you, or tells you not to speak to your family.

You can use a simple script like this:
“I don’t give out personal information on incoming calls. I will call the number on the back of my card instead.”

Verification codes and passwords

Many banks and websites use a two-step login process. When you sign in, they may text you a short code (often 6 digits). This code is a temporary key to prove that it is really you.

That code is private. It is only for you to type into the website or app you are using. Real companies will not ask you to read that code out loud over the phone.
Important rules:
• Never tell a verification code to anyone who calls, emails, or texts you.
• If you receive a verification code that you did not request, do not use it. Simply ignore the message.
• If this happens several times, sign in to the account yourself using the official app or website and change your password.

What to do if you are not sure

If something on your phone makes you feel worried or unsure, pause and ask yourself three quick questions:
• Is this message or call about money, my accounts, or my identity?
• Did this text or call arrive out of the blue?
• Do I feel rushed, scared, or pressured to act right now?

If you answer “yes” to any of these, treat it as suspicious and follow these steps:
• Stop. Do not click links, do not give information, and do not send money.
• Verify the message yourself by using the company’s official app, typing their website address, or calling a trusted phone number (for example, the number on the back of your bank card).
• Ask a trusted family member or friend to look at the message or situation with you.

Remember: it is always okay to hang up, to say no, or to take time to think. Real companies will understand.

What to do if you think you were scammed

If you think you might have been caught by a scam, do not feel ashamed. Scammers are very good at what they do. The most important thing is what you do next.
• If you shared bank or card details: Call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card. Tell them what happened and ask them to watch for unusual activity or replace your card.
• If you gave a password: Change that password right away. If you use the same password on other websites, change it there too.
• If you installed an app because a caller told you to: Delete the app. Turn your phone off and back on. Ask a trusted tech helper or a phone store to check that everything looks safe.
• If you sent money or gift cards: Contact your bank or card company as soon as possible. They may or may not be able to recover the funds, but faster is better.
• If you are not sure what you shared: Write down what happened while you remember it, then ask a family member, friend, or local tech helper to review it with you.