Scam recognition
Common scam call patterns — how to recognize them
11-minute read · Updated 2026-05-30
Scam callers run the same scripts millions of times. Learn the patterns and you'll recognize them in the first ten seconds. Below: the seven most-reported scam-call types, with the actual scripts, red flags, and what to do.
IRS lawsuit / arrest threat
The script
An automated voice claims to be from the IRS. You owe back taxes. A lawsuit has been filed. Police are on the way unless you pay immediately — usually via iTunes gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfer.
Red flags
- • The IRS never cold-calls demanding immediate payment.
- • The IRS never accepts gift cards or wire transfers as payment.
- • The IRS never threatens arrest or deportation over the phone.
- • The IRS sends letters first — always.
What to do
Hang up. If you're worried you owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 — the number on their actual website. Report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484.
Most-complained scam to the FTC for 5+ consecutive years.
Social Security number suspension
The script
A recorded message says your Social Security number has been suspended due to 'suspicious activity in Texas' (or another state). Press 1 to speak to an officer who will help reactivate it. The 'officer' will ask you to verify your SSN, date of birth, and bank info.
Red flags
- • Social Security numbers cannot be 'suspended' — it's not a thing.
- • The SSA does not cold-call individuals.
- • The SSA never asks you to verify your SSN over the phone.
- • Caller ID is almost always spoofed to look like an SSA office.
What to do
Hang up. Never give your SSN over the phone to an inbound caller. If you want to verify your SSA standing, log into ssa.gov directly or call 1-800-772-1213.
FTC's #2 most-reported scam pattern in 2024.
Medicare benefits / free brace
The script
A caller offers free medical equipment (back brace, knee brace, diabetic supplies, COVID testing kits) 'paid for by Medicare.' They ask for your Medicare number to verify eligibility. The equipment never arrives — Medicare gets billed for products you never received.
Red flags
- • Medicare doesn't cold-call to offer free equipment.
- • Any unsolicited request for your Medicare number is a fraud attempt.
- • Real DME (durable medical equipment) is prescribed by your doctor — not cold-called.
What to do
Hang up. If a scammer already has your Medicare number, monitor your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) for unauthorized claims. Report to 1-800-MEDICARE or the Senior Medicare Patrol at smpresource.org.
FTC + HHS Office of Inspector General joint enforcement target.
Auto warranty / 'vehicle warranty expiring'
The script
A robocall says your vehicle's extended warranty is about to expire. Press 1 to renew. The caller will offer high-pressure 'extended warranty' contracts that are either worthless or just outright theft of the upfront payment.
Red flags
- • The robocaller doesn't know your vehicle — they're calling everyone.
- • Real auto-warranty companies don't cold-call.
- • Aggressive upfront payment demands are a fraud indicator.
What to do
Hang up. Don't press 1 — it confirms your number is live and routes you onto more call lists. Block the number, but expect them to call back from a different spoofed number.
Consistently top-3 most-reported robocall category.
Tech support scam (Microsoft / Apple / your bank)
The script
A caller claims to be from Microsoft, Apple, your bank, or your ISP. They've 'detected a virus' or 'unusual activity' on your computer or account. They walk you through installing remote-access software so they can 'fix it' — and then steal your data or hold your computer ransom.
Red flags
- • Microsoft, Apple, and your bank do not cold-call about viruses or account issues.
- • Legitimate companies never ask you to install remote-access software (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, LogMeIn) over a cold call.
- • Urgency + a demand to act NOW is the universal fraud signal.
What to do
Hang up. If you're worried about a real issue, log into the account directly or use the phone number on the back of your card. Never call the number the scammer gives you.
FBI IC3 reports tech-support scams cost Americans $924M in 2023.
Utility shutoff threat
The script
Caller claims to be from your electric, gas, or water utility. Your bill is overdue. Service will be shut off in the next hour unless you pay immediately — via prepaid card, gift card, or wire transfer.
Red flags
- • Utilities give written notice well before any shutoff — never one-hour-warning calls.
- • Utilities don't accept gift cards or prepaid cards as payment.
- • Often targets small businesses during peak hours when shutting off power would be devastating.
What to do
Hang up. Call your utility's customer service number from the back of a recent bill (or their website) to verify any actual issue. Report the scam to your state's utility commission.
Increasingly common during summer/winter peak-bill seasons.
Grandparent / family emergency
The script
A caller (sometimes using AI voice cloning) claims to be your grandchild, niece, or nephew in trouble — arrested in another country, in a car accident, kidnapped. They need bail / hospital / ransom money wired immediately. They beg you not to tell their parents.
Red flags
- • The 'don't tell your parents' framing is universal in these scams.
- • AI voice cloning makes 'it really sounded like them' insufficient verification.
- • Wire transfer / cryptocurrency / gift card demands.
What to do
Hang up. Call the actual family member directly on a known number. Verify the story with someone else in the family. If you've already sent money, file a report with the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov.
AARP and FBI both flag this as the fastest-growing scam targeting seniors.