Spam Call Check

How to spot a spam call

Phone scams cost Americans more than $39 billion in 2023, according to the FTC. While no tool can guarantee a call is legitimate, here are the major red flags:

• One-ring calls from 876, 809, 829, 849, 284, 721, 649, 758, 784: These Caribbean area codes are the source of the "one-ring scam." The caller hangs up after one ring, hoping you'll call back and rack up international per-minute charges.
• Calls from 900 or 976 numbers: These are premium-rate codes. Calling them bills you $1–$5 per minute.
• Caller ID showing your own number: This is always a spoofed call. Hang up immediately.
• Robocalls claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare: These agencies never initiate contact by phone — they always mail a letter first.
• Automated "your warranty is expiring" calls: Almost always scams. Hang up.
• Calls claiming you owe back taxes and must pay in gift cards: 100% scam. No legitimate agency accepts gift cards.

How to protect yourself

• Don't answer calls from numbers you don't recognize.
• Never call back one-ring international calls.
• Register on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov.
• Use your carrier's spam-blocking feature (T-Mobile Scam Shield, AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter).
• Report scam calls to the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.
• Never give out Social Security numbers, bank info, or one-time codes to incoming callers.