Common phone scams and how to spot them.
Loan offers, IRS threats, Medicare pitches, fake tech support: here's how the scams LoopCall catches most often work — and the one rule that beats each of them.
These are the scam types LoopCall's AI sees most across all users. You can watch the live numbers on our Scam Radar.
The most common phone scams right now
Loan offers
"Pre-approved" loans or debt relief that require a fee before you get the money.
Rule: never pay a fee upfront to get a loan.
"Press 1" robocalls
Recorded messages that push you to press a key to "speak to an agent" — which marks your number as live.
Rule: don't press any keys — just hang up.
Bank fraud
Callers posing as your bank's fraud department, asking you to "verify" a code or move money to a "safe" account.
Rule: your bank will never ask for your PIN or a code by phone.
IRS and tax
Threats of arrest or penalties unless you pay back taxes immediately, often by gift card or wire.
Rule: the IRS doesn't call to demand immediate payment.
Medicare and insurance
Offers of "free" benefits, braces or new cards in exchange for your Medicare number.
Rule: don't share your Medicare number with callers.
Tech support
"Your computer has a virus" calls that end with remote access to your device or a fake repair bill.
Rule: never let a caller access your computer.
Car warranty
Urgent "final notices" about an expiring vehicle warranty you never bought.
Rule: car warranty calls are almost always scams.
Prizes and lottery
You "won" a prize, trip or sweepstakes — you just need to pay taxes or shipping first.
Rule: you never have to pay to claim a real prize.
Political calls
Campaign, poll and survey robocalls can be legal, but scammers also pose as campaigns to collect "donations".
Rule: donate only through a campaign's official website.
Red flags on any call
- Urgency or threats — arrest, account closure, "final notice", "today only".
- Unusual payment — gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps.
- Asking for a code sent to your phone by text. That code is the key to your account.
- A familiar name on caller ID. Scammers spoof real numbers, including banks and government agencies.
Already picked up? Do this
- Hang upYou don't owe a caller your time, and you don't need to explain.
- Call back through an official numberUse the number on your card, statement or the agency's official website — never one the caller gave you.
- Report itReport the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and add your number to the Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov.
Let LoopCall take these calls for you
LoopCall blocks known scam numbers before they ring and answers every other unknown caller you don't pick up. Scammers get our AI; you get a short summary of who called and why. Learn more about AI call screening and our robocall blocker that talks back.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a call is a scam?
Pressure to act now, unusual payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers, and requests for codes or personal numbers are the biggest warning signs. When in doubt, hang up and call back through an official number.
Should I answer calls from unknown numbers?
You don't have to. Real callers will leave a message. With LoopCall, unknown callers you don't pick up are screened for you, so you can read who called and why before calling back.
Where do I report a scam call?
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov.
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