Smartphone scams are getting trickier and more dangerous than ever before. The FBI has just issued an urgent alert to both iPhone and Android users across the country about a sophisticated new phone scam. If you receive a suspicious call and hear certain sounds or high-pressure threats, officials say the best thing you can do is hang up immediately. These calls are often designed to steal your personal information and drain your bank accounts. And the scariest part? Even careful, tech-savvy people can fall for these convincing tactics.

Scammers Are Getting Smarter

What makes this latest scam so dangerous is how realistic it seems. Scammers are using something called “caller ID spoofing.” This trick allows them to disguise their phone numbers, making it look like the call is coming from someone you trust. It could appear to be your local police department, a well-known bank, or even a government agency. In some cases, scammers are even using the real names of police officers to make their calls sound more believable.

Imagine your phone rings and the caller ID shows it’s your local police station. You answer, and the person on the line tells you that you’ve missed jury duty or have an outstanding warrant. They might say your bank account has been hacked. The scammer then pressures you to send money right away to fix the problem. They make it sound urgent—like if you don’t act fast, you’ll face arrest or lose your savings. This fear-based tactic works because it overrides common sense and makes even cautious people react without thinking.

How to Know It’s a Scam

The FBI has laid out some clear warning signs that a call is a scam. If anyone on the phone demands immediate payment—especially through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—that’s a huge red flag. No legitimate organization will ever ask for sensitive personal or financial information out of the blue over the phone.

Scammers often claim you’ve missed a court date, failed to show up for jury duty, or have a legal issue that can only be solved with immediate payment. They try to create a sense of panic to get you to act without verifying their story. Even if the caller ID looks legitimate, the FBI urges you to hang up. If it’s truly important, the real agency or business will contact you through official written correspondence, ask you to visit them in person, or direct you to their official website.

Another thing to avoid is pressing any buttons on your phone when these callers instruct you to do so. Pressing a button can confirm to scammers that your phone number is active, which may lead to even more scam calls down the line.

What To Do If You Get One of These Calls

First things first: hang up right away. Don’t engage with the caller. After you disconnect, the FBI suggests taking a few extra steps to protect yourself and others. If the scammer claimed to be from a specific organization, reach out to that company or agency directly—using the phone number found on their official website, not the one from your call log.

You should also report the scam to your local law enforcement and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). These reports help law enforcement agencies track patterns and warn others about similar scams.

Text Message Scams Are on the Rise, Too

The FBI is also warning people about scam text messages that work in much the same way. You might receive a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls or other small fees, and there’s usually a link for you to click. But that link can steal your personal and financial information the moment you tap it.

As a rule of thumb, treat any unsolicited text or call asking for personal details or payments with skepticism. If something feels off, trust your instincts and investigate before taking action.

Stay Alert and Protect Yourself

Scams like these can be devastating, but knowing what to watch for can make all the difference. The FBI urges everyone—whether you use an iPhone, Android, or any other device—to stay vigilant. Remember: no reputable business, law enforcement agency, or government office will ever demand immediate payments or personal information over the phone or through a surprise text message.

By hanging up, reporting scams, and sharing this information with friends and family, you can help stop scammers in their tracks.