Phone Call Scripts That Should Make You Hang Up
A list of phrases real bank, government and support staff never say on the phone, and that should make you hang up and call back on a number you trust.
Scam calls follow scripts, and some lines appear again and again. Genuine staff at banks, networks, tax agencies and tech companies do not say them. If you hear any of these, hang up and call back on a number you find yourself.
Lines that mean hang up
| What the caller says | Why it is a red flag |
|---|---|
| "Read me the code we just sent you." | Codes approve logins and payments. Nobody genuine needs them. |
| "Move your money to a safe account." | No bank does this. It is the scammer's account. |
| "Don't hang up, or the payment will go through." | Designed to stop you calling back. |
| "Don't tell the bank staff, they might be involved." | Isolates you from people who could help. |
| "Install this app so I can help you." | Remote access. See remote access requests. |
| "You'll be arrested unless you pay today." | Authorities do not demand instant payment by phone. See arrest threat scams. |
| "Pay with gift cards or crypto." | No genuine organization asks for these. See why scammers want them. |
| "Confirm your full PIN or password." | Genuine staff never ask for these. |
| "Check the number on your card, it matches." | Caller ID can be faked. See caller ID spoofing. |
| "We refunded too much, please send it back." | A refund scam. See refund scams. |
The response
- End the call.
- Call the organization on a number from your card, bill, app or official website.
- If you shared anything, act quickly. See after giving details on a phishing call.
Print this list for older relatives and keep it near the phone.
Got a follow-up text after a call? Paste it into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.
For more, read the complete guide to phishing.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to hang up?
No. Genuine organizations expect and encourage you to hang up and call back on an official number.
What if I am not sure?
Hang up anyway and call the organization through its official number. You lose nothing by checking.
Should I tell the caller I think it is a scam?
You do not need to. Just end the call. Arguing gives them a chance to keep you talking.
Sources
- Phone Scams, US Federal Trade Commission
- How To Avoid Phone Scams: Don't Trust Caller ID, US Federal Trade Commission
- Phishing: spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and calls, UK National Cyber Security Centre
