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Any phone • Scams • 5–10 minutes

How to protect your personal information

The golden ruleThe golden rule: if someone creates URGENCY and asks for MONEY or PERSONAL INFORMATION, stop. It is almost certainly a scam. A real company will never rush you, and it will wait while you check.
This guide is about protecting your personal information from callers and messages that try to steal it. Take your time. Nothing in this guide can hurt your phone.

  1. Scams that try to steal your personal information

    The rule: NO legitimate company will ever call, text, or email you asking for your password, your Social Security number, your bank login, or a 6-digit verification code. Anyone who asks is a scammer, even if the caller ID shows a real company’s name. Scammers can fake caller ID.

    Common scripts: "This is your bank’s fraud department, confirm your code." "Your grandchild is in trouble and needs bail money. Don’t tell anyone." "This is the IRS, pay now or be arrested." The real IRS never calls demanding payment.

    What to do: Hang up. Then call the company back yourself, using the number on their official website or the number on the back of your bank card. Never use the number the caller gave you.

  2. The pause test: three questions to ask yourself

    Before you do ANYTHING a stranger asks: pause. Ask yourself three questions: Are they rushing me? Do they want money or personal information? Did I contact them, or did they contact me? If they rushed you, want money or info, and THEY contacted YOU, it is a scam. When in doubt, ask a family member or friend before doing anything. A real company will wait.

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