ScamShield365 — A Trusted Second Opinion
Banking & Finance4 min read

How to Spot a Bank Impersonation Scam

Learn the warning signs when someone claims to be calling from your bank — and how to verify independently.

$1.9 billion
lost to bank impersonation scams in 2023

Bank impersonation scams happen when a fraudster calls, texts, or emails you pretending to be from your bank's fraud department. They often say your account has been compromised and that you need to act immediately to protect your money.

These scammers are sophisticated. They can spoof your bank's real phone number so it appears genuine on your caller ID. They may already know your name, the last four digits of your card, or your recent transactions — details bought from data breaches.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • !Caller asks for your full PIN, password, or one-time passcode
  • !You're told to transfer money to a 'safe' or 'holding' account
  • !Extreme urgency — 'act now or lose everything'
  • !Caller ID shows your bank's real number (easily spoofed)
  • !You're asked to keep the call secret from family

What to Do

  1. 1
    Hang up immediately
    Don't worry about being rude. Legitimate banks will understand.
  2. 2
    Find the real number yourself
    Look on the back of your debit or credit card, or on the bank's official website.
  3. 3
    Call back on that number
    Ask the bank directly whether there is actually a problem with your account.
  4. 4
    Tell a trusted person
    Share what happened with a family member or friend before taking any action.
Never do this

Do not call back on any number the caller gives you. Hang up and dial the number on the back of your card.

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Run it through Scam Shield before you respond.

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Government & IRS3 min read

What the IRS Will and Won't Do

The IRS never demands immediate payment by gift card. Here's what real IRS contact looks like.

$5.5 billion
reported lost to government impersonation scams

IRS impersonation scams are among the most common fraud schemes targeting older adults. A caller claims to be an IRS agent and says you owe back taxes that must be paid immediately — or you will be arrested, deported, or have your license revoked.

The fear these calls create is intentional. Scammers know that the threat of the IRS is enough to make many people panic and pay without thinking. But the real IRS does not operate this way.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • !Caller threatens immediate arrest if you don't pay
  • !Demands payment by gift card, wire transfer, or crypto
  • !No prior written notice — real IRS always mails first
  • !Caller is aggressive, rude, or won't let you ask questions
  • !Asks you to stay on the phone while you buy gift cards

What to Do

  1. 1
    Hang up
    The IRS will never call demanding immediate payment. It's safe to hang up.
  2. 2
    Check your IRS account
    Go to irs.gov/account to see if you actually owe anything.
  3. 3
    Call the IRS directly
    Use 1-800-829-1040 — the number from irs.gov, not from the caller.
  4. 4
    Report the call
    Report to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484 or irs.gov/phishing.
The IRS will never

Demand immediate payment without mailing you a bill first, threaten arrest, or ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

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Family & Grandparent Scams5 min read

The Grandparent Scam: What It Is and How to Stop It

A caller claims your grandchild is in trouble and needs money urgently. Here's exactly what to do.

$41 million
lost to grandparent scams in 2022 (FTC)

In the grandparent scam, a fraudster calls and says something like: 'Grandma, it's me — I'm in trouble and I need your help.' They count on you to fill in the name yourself. Once you say 'Is that you, Michael?' they become Michael.

The story usually involves a car accident, an arrest, or a medical emergency in another city or country. They beg you not to tell other family members because they are embarrassed. Then a 'lawyer' or 'bail bondsman' gets on the line and asks you to send cash or gift cards immediately.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • !Caller doesn't say their name — waits for you to guess
  • !Urgent story involving arrest, accident, or hospital
  • !Begs you not to tell other family members
  • !A second caller poses as a lawyer, bail agent, or doctor
  • !Asks for cash, gift cards, or wire transfer immediately

What to Do

  1. 1
    Hang up and call your grandchild directly
    Use the number you already have for them — not any number the caller gave you.
  2. 2
    Call another family member
    Verify the story with a parent, sibling, or other relative before doing anything.
  3. 3
    Ask for the family code word
    If you have one set up, ask for it. A scammer will not know it.
  4. 4
    Never send money before verifying
    No legitimate emergency requires gift cards, wire transfers, or cash couriers.
Create a family code word

Agree on a secret word only real family members know. If someone calls claiming to be a grandchild in trouble, ask for the code word. A scammer won't know it.

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Run it through Scam Shield before you respond.

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Payment Safety3 min read

Why Scammers Ask for Gift Cards

Gift cards are untraceable and irreversible. If anyone asks you to pay with a gift card, it's a scam.

$217 million
lost to gift card scams in 2023 (FTC)

Scammers love gift cards because once you hand over the card number and PIN, the money is gone instantly. There is no way to reverse the transaction, and the cards are nearly impossible to trace — making them the perfect tool for fraud.

The scammer will often stay on the phone with you while you drive to the store and buy the cards. They may tell you to say you're buying them as gifts if a store employee asks questions — because store employees are trained to spot this exact scam.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • !Anyone asks you to pay a fine, tax, or fee with gift cards
  • !Caller stays on the phone while you go to the store
  • !You're told to keep the purchase secret
  • !Caller asks you to read the card number and PIN aloud
  • !The 'payment' is for the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, or tech support

What to Do

  1. 1
    Stop and hang up
    No legitimate organization accepts gift cards as payment. End the call.
  2. 2
    Tell a store employee
    If you're already at the store, tell an employee. They can help.
  3. 3
    Report it to the FTC
    Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov to file a report.
  4. 4
    Contact the gift card company
    Some companies have fraud recovery programs — call the number on the back of the card immediately.
This is always a scam

No government agency, utility company, tech support service, or legitimate business will ever ask you to pay with a gift card. Ever. Full stop.

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Tech Support4 min read

Fake Tech Support: How to Recognize and Respond

Pop-ups, phone calls, and emails claiming your computer is infected are almost always scams.

$924 million
lost to tech support scams in 2023 (FBI IC3)

Tech support scams usually start with a scary pop-up on your screen saying your computer is infected with a virus and you must call a phone number immediately. The pop-up may make a loud alarm sound and appear to freeze your computer.

If you call the number, a 'technician' will ask you to install remote access software so they can 'fix' your computer. Once they have access, they may steal your files, install real malware, access your bank accounts, or charge hundreds of dollars for fake repairs.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • !A pop-up appears with a phone number to call
  • !Loud alarm sounds from your computer
  • !Caller asks you to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer
  • !You're told your computer is sending 'illegal signals'
  • !Caller asks you to open your bank account 'to verify'

What to Do

  1. 1
    Close the browser tab or window
    Press Ctrl+W (Windows) or Cmd+W (Mac). If frozen, restart your computer.
  2. 2
    Do not call the number
    Microsoft, Apple, and Google will never display a pop-up asking you to call them.
  3. 3
    Disconnect from the internet
    If you already gave access, unplug your internet cable or turn off Wi-Fi immediately.
  4. 4
    Get help from someone you trust
    Contact a family member or a local computer technician you found yourself.
Never give remote access

Never allow anyone to remotely access your computer unless you called them first using a number you found yourself. Once they have access, they can steal everything.

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Identity Theft6 min read

What to Do If Your Social Security Number Was Stolen

Step-by-step guidance for protecting yourself after your SSN has been exposed.

1 in 3
Americans have been affected by identity theft

If you believe your Social Security number has been stolen — through a data breach, a scam, or a lost document — act quickly. The steps below can significantly limit the damage and prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

Identity theft using an SSN can take months or years to fully resolve, but taking immediate action dramatically reduces the harm. You have the legal right to freeze your credit for free, and it takes only a few minutes.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • !You receive bills or collection notices for accounts you didn't open
  • !Your credit report shows accounts or inquiries you don't recognize
  • !You're denied credit unexpectedly
  • !The IRS says someone already filed a tax return with your SSN
  • !You stop receiving expected mail (thieves may redirect it)

What to Do

  1. 1
    Place a fraud alert
    Call one credit bureau — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. They must notify the other two. This makes it harder to open new credit in your name.
  2. 2
    Freeze your credit
    A credit freeze is stronger. It blocks all new credit applications. Free at all three bureaus: Equifax (1-800-685-1111), Experian (1-888-397-3742), TransUnion (1-888-909-8872).
  3. 3
    Report to the FTC
    Go to identitytheft.gov. You'll get a personalized recovery plan and pre-filled letters for creditors.
  4. 4
    Check your Social Security statement
    Create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see if anyone has used your SSN for employment or benefits.
Act within 24 hours

The faster you place a credit freeze and fraud alert, the harder it is for thieves to open new accounts in your name. Don't wait.

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Run it through Scam Shield before you respond.

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