The Driver ID appears to be valid. The quiet voice says there’s a problem with your Social Security benefits, your Medicare payments, or your bank account—and you need to act now.
That one minute is how thousands of elderly Americans lose money every year. Scammers know exactly which words strike fear into people who live on fixed incomes. They use those words to shortchange your careful thinking and push you into handing over cash, gift cards, or personal information before you have time to verify anything. In fact, some cybercrimes are so insidious that according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report Center, in 2025 more than 201,000 victims over 60 lost more than $7.7 billion to cybercriminals.
The good news: most of these calls follow similar patterns. Once you realize the exact phrases they rely on, the scam becomes less powerful.
Based on a review of language from scams reported to the Social Security Administration, the FTC, AARP, and state attorneys general, here are 12 phone phrases that almost always mean you’ve been targeted—and what to do if you hear them.
1. “This is an urgent public service announcement.”
When you hear this, your first reaction may be to listen carefully and act quickly. Fraudsters use this phrase to create a sense of urgency, mimicking legitimate warnings. The deliberate use of this phrase causes people to bypass rational thinking and act without hesitation. But remember, real social services have other ways to communicate. Always double check these warnings by contacting official sources through their verified channels.
2. “Your Social Security number has been suspended” / “Your benefits will be suspended.”
This is a common and dangerous phone scam that targets adults. The caller will claim to be from the Social Security Administration (or sometimes the Office of the Inspector General) and will say that your Social Security number has been suspended, has been linked to criminal activity, or that your benefits will be terminated unless you act quickly.
This is false. Official communication from the Social Security Administration will likely begin with a letter. According to the Office of the Inspector General for Social Security, the SSA does not want a quick payment over the phone or ask you to make a high-pressure, quick decision.
3. “I need to verify your account information.”
This is a common tactic among fraudsters posing as representatives of your bank or service provider. These types of scams have become more common following data breaches. However, no reliable organization can ask for sensitive information directly. Therefore, this quote should be a scam warning.
In the event of a data breach, organizations establish processes and procedures to contain them. If you receive such a request, hang up. Do not share any personal information. Instead, contact the agency directly using a known and secure method.
4. “There is a problem with your payment.”
This quote talks about your fear of financial mishaps. Scammers know that people will do whatever it takes to avoid extra fees and service interruptions. They use this phrase in hopes of catching you off guard to give them payment information out of panic.
Rather than sharing your account information, check the validity of their claims first. Always verify any payment problems by logging into your account independently or by calling customer service directly. These steps can prevent you from wasting time and money.
5. “Verify your identity with your password.”
If you hear this one, it’s a big red flag! Legitimate companies and government agencies understand the security risks of sharing personal information. In fact, policies prevent them from asking you for your password or security code over the phone.
If you hear this phrase, hang up immediately. Then, report the incident to the phishing company or the phishing government agency. It can help prevent others from falling victim to this scam.
6. “This is your last warning.”
Using threats of legal or financial consequences is a common intimidation tactic. However, it is often a scammer’s warning. Real organizations do not operate this way and will provide ample opportunity to resolve through proper channels. If you get this call, don’t panic. Instead, stay calm, don’t get involved, do your homework and seek professional advice if needed.
7. “You owe taxes and you should pay them soon.”
This scam is especially prevalent at tax time and plays on people’s deep-seated fear of government debt. Taxes create a feeling of anxiety in many citizens, and fraudsters use these feelings to their advantage. Remember, the IRS communicates via email, not random phone calls. You can always verify any tax claims directly through official IRS channels to protect your finances.
8. “We noticed suspicious activity on your account.”
This is bank / credit card fraud. Scammers try to impersonate your bank or credit card company to steal from you.
By suggesting that your account is at risk, fraudsters aim to quickly ‘secure’ your assets. However, rash decisions can put you at great risk. This phrase is a ploy to psychologically pressure you into revealing your personal or financial information. Never disclose this information if someone contacts you. Instead, contact your bank directly using the official numbers, not the ones provided during the suspicious call.
9. “I’m calling from tech support.”
If you didn’t ask for help, why would tech support call you? The answer should not surprise you. This is a trick to gain access to your computer or personal information under the guise of fixing a problem. Some scammers are after information while others want to sell you useless software. Don’t be an unexpected victim. Always verify the authenticity of the call by using a reverse phone lookup tool or contact the company they claim to represent.
If you receive this call, hang up. Legitimate tech companies won’t call. If you are concerned, call a known number or go to the official technical support page.
10. “Can you hear me?”
According to the US Public Interest Group, by 2024 Americans will receive 2.14 billion scam calls per month. While many of these were legitimate marketing calls, the increased use of AI and recording devices presents the possibility that some consumers could be subject to fraudulent voice recording designs for impersonation and identity theft.
Say “can you hear me?” question, seems harmless, right? Unfortunately, it isn’t. It’s a way for fraudsters to record your voice saying “Yes,” which they can use to authorize fraudulent payments. If you hear this question, you better hang up immediately. Then, check your accounts and statements for any unauthorized activity.
11. “Please donate.”
Charity scams prey on your giving, often in times of crisis. Fraudulent variations of “please make a donation” include phrases such as “We are collecting emergency donations [disaster / charity],” or “Your donation could save lives – can we process it now?”
However, disasters do happen, and people in them have legitimate needs. So this should not stop you from donating to the organizations you want to support. To make sure your donation goes to a legitimate site, donate directly through the websites of trusted organizations instead. Consider using CharityNavigator.org or Give.org to verify the organization’s legitimacy. And don’t give out your billing information for unsolicited calls.
12. “You have to decide right now.”
The use of the phrase “you have to decide now” is a red flag of an illegal scam. The perpetrators of these crimes use high-pressure tactics to force a quick decision. The goal is to get you to commit before you have a chance to think it through or interact with others.
However, you should never act rashly when making important decisions. Instead, take your time, seek advice, and never make financial commitments hastily over the phone or email. Instead of responding to a high pressure tactic, simply hang up and take your time.
Prevention and Awareness
A quick universal tip: If you hear any of these, don’t get involved. Hang up and report the number to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your carrier. The FTC will share the report with law enforcement, which can help get fraudsters investigated or prosecuted.
Also, if you have time, report the call to your carrier.
- For T-Mobile, you can report it at this link:
- For AT&T, you can call their fraud reporting number: 877.844.5584.
The phrases in this article are all designed to evoke fear, greed, or urgency—your best defense is to get off the phone and report it.
So if you hear any of these phrases, it should be a red flag and scam warning. And if you have a chance, please share this article with your relative or friend who can benefit from it.
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Editors note: In this story, SavingAdvice used AI generation to help with certain sections of the essay. The editor has verified the accuracy of the information before publication.
