What to Do If You Receive a Phone Scam

Phone Scams: Don't Be a Victim

Phone scams are everywhere, and international students are often targeted because they may not be familiar with US phone scam tactics. The good news is that most phone scams follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to look for, you can protect yourself.

Imagine this: You're a student from South Korea studying at the University of Washington. You receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. They say you owe $5,000 in back taxes and that if you don't pay immediately, you'll be arrested. You panic �?you don't know much about US taxes. What do you do?

Common Phone Scam Types

Here are some of the most common phone scams targeting international students:

How to Identify a Phone Scam

Most phone scams share these common characteristics:

• High-pressure tactics: Scammers want you to act quickly without thinking.
• Threats: They may threaten arrest, legal action, or service disruption.
• Requests for personal information: They'll ask for your SSN, bank account details, or credit card number.
• Requests for unusual payment methods: Wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
• Unsolicited calls: Legitimate organizations usually don't call out of the blue demanding money.

What to Do If You Receive a Scam Call

If you think you've received a scam call, follow these steps:

1. Don't panic: Take a deep breath and don't make any decisions immediately.
2. Hang up: Don't engage with the scammer. Simply hang up the phone.
3. Don't provide any information: Never give out personal information over the phone to someone you don't know.
4. Don't press any buttons: Some scams use automated systems that confirm your number is active when you press a button.
5. Block the number: Add the number to your phone's blocked list.

How to Report Phone Scams

If you've received a scam call, report it to these agencies:

• FTC Consumer Protection: www.reportfraud.ftc.gov
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
• Your phone provider: Contact your carrier to report spam calls.
• Your university: Notify your university's IT or security office.

If You've Already Fallen for a Scam

If you've provided personal information or sent money to a scammer, here's what to do:

1. Contact your bank: If you provided bank account details, contact your bank immediately to freeze your account.
2. Contact your credit card company: If you provided credit card details, cancel the card.
3. Report to the FTC: File a report at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
4. Monitor your accounts: Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
5. Consider identity theft protection: If you provided your SSN, consider signing up for credit monitoring.

Case Study: Ji-Won's Story

Ji-Won is a student from South Korea studying at the University of California, Berkeley. She received a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, saying she owed $3,000 in taxes.

Here's what happened:

1. The Call: The caller was aggressive and threatened to send the police to her apartment if she didn't pay immediately.
2. Ji-Won's Response: Ji-Won was scared but remembered reading about IRS scams. She told the caller she needed to check with her university first and hung up.
3. What She Did Next: Ji-Won contacted her university's international student office, which confirmed it was a scam. She reported the call to the FTC and blocked the number.

Ji-Won's advice? "Don't let scammers scare you. Legitimate organizations won't threaten you over the phone. If something feels wrong, hang up and check with someone you trust."

How to Protect Yourself from Phone Scams

Here are some tips to help you avoid phone scams:

• Don't answer unknown numbers: Let calls from unknown numbers go to voicemail.
• Use call blocking: Most smartphones have built-in call blocking features.
• Register with the Do Not Call Registry: Visit www.donotcall.gov to reduce unwanted calls.
• Be skeptical: If someone calls demanding money or personal information, be suspicious.
• Verify independently: If someone claims to be from an organization, hang up and call the organization's official number to verify.

Phone scams are designed to exploit fear and urgency. By staying calm, being skeptical, and knowing what to look for, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Important Disclaimer

This article reflects publicly available information as of July 2025. Phone scam tactics may change over time. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of protection against scams. For personalized assistance with phone scams, please contact your local law enforcement or the FTC.

All information in this article is based on general knowledge of phone scam prevention. Always verify the legitimacy of any phone call independently before providing any information or making any payments. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.