How to protect yourself from scam calls

A handful of rules that hold up against the vast majority of scenarios in our database.

• Your bank, the police, or any official authority will never ask for a password, PIN, or SMS code over the phone.
• If a caller is rushing you toward a quick decision, hang up and call back on an official number you look up yourself.
• Verify an unknown or suspicious number before calling back — for example, right here.
• Investment offers with guaranteed returns pitched over the phone are almost always a scam.
• If you're unsure, talk to someone you trust before sending money or reading out personal details.