Tips to Stop Phone and Text Fraud
This guide created by the Civic Information Systems Commission outlines key tips to protect yourself from phone and text scams, including hanging up on suspicious calls, ignoring strange texts, and never sharing personal info or codes. The guide explains common scam tactics and emphasizes the importance of talking to someone you trust and reporting any fraud to authorities.
1. Hang Up on Suspicious Calls
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If someone asks for money, personal info, or banking details — HANG UP.
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Real government agencies (like the IRS, Medicare, or Social Security) will never demand money over the phone or ask for payment in gift cards.
2. Don’t Trust Caller ID
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Scammers can fake numbers to look official. Even if it looks like a local or government number, be cautious.
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If you're unsure, hang up and call the organization back using a verified phone number.
3. Don’t Respond to Strange Texts
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If you get a text from a number you don’t recognize — don’t reply, don’t click links, and don’t call the number back.
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Common scam texts include fake delivery notices, urgent bank alerts, or “wrong number” messages meant to start a conversation.
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Just delete the message. If you’re unsure, ask someone you trust.
4. Never Share Personal Info or Codes
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Don’t give out your Social Security number, Medicare number, banking info, or passwords over the phone.
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NEVER share a code sent to your phone (such as a login verification code) — even if the caller or texter claims to be from your bank or a trusted company.
5. Watch for Common Scams
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"Grandparent scam": A caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble and asks for money.
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Medicare scam: They claim to need your Medicare number for a new card or update.
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Prize scam: They say you won a prize — but need payment first to claim it.
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Tech support scam: They say there’s a problem with your computer and ask for access.
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Code scam: Someone sends a code to your phone and asks you to read it back — this can let them into your bank or online accounts. Never share codes with anyone.
6. Talk About It
Report Scams:
Information collated by the Oak Park Civic Information Systems Commission