Skip to main content

    Is This Call Real?

    Caller ID can be faked. Here's how to tell — and verify safely.

    The big secret

    Scammers can make ANY name and number show on your caller ID. "Bank of America", "Apple", "IRS", "Local Police", even your own family's name and number — all fakeable. This is called spoofing.

    Red flags during a call

    • They say there's an emergency, fraud, or warrant — and you must act right now.
    • They tell you not to hang up, not to talk to family, or not to tell the bank.
    • They ask for passwords, PINs, Social Security numbers, or codes you just got by text.
    • They ask you to "verify" your account by reading information back.
    • They ask you to move money "to a safe account" or buy gift cards.
    • They threaten to send police, cut your power, or arrest you.

    The safe way to verify ANY call

    1. Hang up. A real bank, doctor, or government agency will NEVER pressure you to stay on the line.
    2. Wait 30 seconds — scammers sometimes hold the line open hoping you'll dial.
    3. Find the company's real number yourself: the back of your card, a bill, or by typing the company name into Google.
    4. Call that number. Ask if anyone there was just trying to reach you.
    5. If the call was real, they\'ll connect you. If it wasn\'t — you just dodged a scam.

    Common spoofed callers

    • "Your bank" about fraud: Hang up. Call the number on the back of your card.
    • "Medicare" or "Social Security": They mail you, they don't call. Hang up. Real number for SSA: 1-800-772-1213.
    • "IRS": Always mails first. Real number: 1-800-829-1040.
    • "Microsoft / Apple support": Apple and Microsoft do not call you. Hang up.
    • "Police" or "court": Hang up. Call your local police non-emergency line yourself.
    • "Power company": Hang up. Look up your utility's real number on a paper bill.

    Trust your gut

    If a call feels off — pushy, scary, urgent, or asking for money — it almost always IS off. There's nothing rude about hanging up. A real business will not be insulted by a callback.