The phone is still the most common tool scammers use to reach seniors. Robocalls, spoofed numbers, and high-pressure callers are all designed to catch you off guard and get you to act before you think. A few simple habits can stop most of them cold.
Why Phone Scams Are So Common
Phone calls create urgency in a way that a letter does not. A live voice — or a convincing recording — can pressure you to act immediately, before you have time to think or check with someone you trust.
Scammers also use number spoofing, which means the number displayed on your caller ID can be faked. A call that appears to be from your bank, your doctor's office, or even a local number could be coming from anywhere in the world.
Caller ID alone is not a reliable way to verify who is calling.
Let Unknown Calls Go to Voicemail
The most effective single habit: if you do not recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave messages. Scammers almost never do — or they leave a recording designed to get you to call back.
If someone leaves a message claiming to be from a bank, government agency, or company you do business with, do not call back the number in the message. Look up the official number yourself and call that instead.
Register with the Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) lets you register your phone number to reduce unwanted sales calls. Legitimate businesses are required to honor it.
It will not stop all unwanted calls — scammers ignore it — but it reduces the volume and makes illegitimate calls easier to spot. Registration is free and does not expire.
Use Your Carrier's Call-Blocking Tools
Most major phone carriers now offer free or low-cost robocall filtering. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service line and ask what call-blocking features are available on your plan.
Common options include:
- AT&T: ActiveArmor (free app)
- Verizon: Call Filter (basic version free)
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield (free)
These services automatically screen or block calls flagged as likely spam or scam. They are not perfect, but they significantly reduce the volume of junk calls.
Recognize the High-Pressure Tactics
Scam calls are designed to feel urgent. Common pressure tactics include:
- "This is your final notice" or "You must act today"
- "Your Social Security number has been suspended"
- "You owe back taxes and a warrant has been issued for your arrest"
- "You've won a prize — I just need your information to send it"
- "Press 1 to speak with an agent" — pressing anything confirms your number is active and may increase future calls
The right response to any high-pressure call: hang up. You are always allowed to end a call. No legitimate organization will threaten you or demand you stay on the line.
What to Do If You Already Called Back or Gave Information
If you called back a scam number or gave out personal information:
- If you shared financial account information, call your bank immediately and explain what happened. Ask them to monitor or freeze your account.
- If you gave your Social Security number, place a credit freeze at the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This is free and prevents new credit from being opened in your name.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general's office.
Acting quickly limits the damage.
Where to Learn More
- FTC — Robocalls and Unwanted Calls — consumer.ftc.gov/articles/robocalls Guidance on blocking robocalls, what different types of calls mean, and how to report them.
- Do Not Call Registry — donotcall.gov Register your number for free to reduce unwanted telemarketing calls.
- AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline — aarp.org/money/scams-fraud A free helpline where trained fraud specialists can talk through a suspicious call or situation with you.