5 Signs a Call or Text Is a Scam (And What To Do Instead)

If you've ever gotten a call or text that made your stomach drop, even for a second, you're not alone. Scammers count on that jolt of worry to get you to act before you think. The good news is that once you know what to look for, most scams start to look pretty similar. Here are five signs to watch for, and what to do instead of reacting right away.

1. They Create Urgency

Scam calls and texts almost always want you to act right now. “Your account will be closed in one hour.” “Your grandson is in jail and needs bail money immediately.” “This offer expires in ten minutes.”

Real businesses, banks, and government agencies rarely operate this way. They send letters. They give you time. If something is pushing you to act instantly, that pressure is the scam itself, not a real emergency.

What to do instead: Take a breath. Hang up, or don't respond to the text. Then call the company or person back using a phone number you look up yourself, not one they gave you.

2. They Ask for Payment in Unusual Ways

Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or a stranger showing up to collect cash, these are the payment methods scammers love, because they're nearly impossible to trace or reverse once sent.

No real government agency, utility company, or legitimate business will ever ask you to pay a bill or fine with gift cards.

What to do instead: If anyone asks you to pay with a gift card, that's the end of the conversation. Hang up.

3. They Ask for Your Password or a Verification Code

You may get a call claiming to be from your bank, Apple, Google, or even a family member, asking you to read them a code that was just texted to you, or to confirm your password “to verify your identity.”

That code is actually meant to protect you. A real company never needs you to read it out loud to them.

What to do instead: Never share a verification code with anyone, no matter who they say they are. If your bank or a company truly needs to verify you, they'll do it through their app or website, not by asking you to read them a code over the phone.

4. The Story Doesn't Quite Add Up

Scammers often rely on a bit of confusion, a caller ID that shows a local number, a voice that sounds slightly off, a familiar company name attached to an unfamiliar request. If something feels a little strange even if you can't say exactly why, that instinct is worth listening to.

What to do instead: Pause and ask yourself, would this company or person really contact me this way, about this, right now? If you're unsure, it's always okay to hang up and call back later using a number you trust.

5. They Discourage You From Telling Anyone

This is one of the biggest red flags. Scammers often say things like “don't tell your family” or “keep this between us,” because they know that a second set of eyes, a spouse, an adult child, a friend, will often spot the scam immediately.

A legitimate caller never has a reason to ask you to keep a conversation secret.

What to do instead: If anyone on the phone asks you not to tell someone else, tell someone else. Immediately.

When in Doubt, Just Hang Up

You never owe a caller an explanation, and you're never being rude by hanging up on someone you don't recognize or trust. If you're ever unsure whether something is a scam, it's completely okay to simply end the call and think it over.

And if you ever want a second opinion, that's exactly what we're here for. A Kendera Global Digital Concierge session can walk through a specific call, text, or email with you, no judgment, just a second set of eyes.

Want more on this topic? Check out our free Scam and Spam Safety guide for a printable reference you can keep by the phone.

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