Someone wants me to move my money
A caller, text, or email says your bank account is compromised and tells you to move money, wire funds, or "verify" by transferring to a new account.
You're in the right place.
Hang up first.
Take a breath. You have more time than they're telling you. Nothing on this page will ask for your name, your money, or your account details.
If you already hung up, you did the right thing.
You have time
A real bank, a real government agency, and real family will all wait while you check. You are not too late to stop.
The seven steps
If you read nothing else:
- Stop communicating, and do not move money or share codes.
- Call back only using a number you find yourself.
- Save what happened, then report it if anything was shared.
- 1. Stop communicating. End the call, text, or chat. You can always reconnect later if it turns out to be real.
- 2. Do not move money. Do not wire, transfer, or send anything while you are under pressure.
- 3. Do not share codes, passwords, or account information. This includes one-time verification codes sent to your phone.
- 4. Do not trust caller ID. Phone numbers and names can be faked, even your bank’s real number.
- 5. Call the real institution using a number you find independently. Use a bank card, a billing statement, or a website you type in yourself.
- 6. Save evidence. Screenshots, call logs, numbers used, and notes on what was said.
- 7. Report it. Tell your bank, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, the police (911 if you are in danger, otherwise the non-emergency line), and the FBI. See where to report.
What is happening to you right now?
Someone wants gift cards, crypto, or cash
You are told to pay a bill, fine, fee, or "deposit" using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash handed to a courier.
Someone wants a verification code
You receive a text or call asking you to read back a one-time passcode, security code, or "verification code" that was just sent to your phone.
A pop-up says my computer is infected
A pop-up, phone call, or email claims your computer has a virus and tells you to call a number or install remote-access software immediately.
A family member needs money urgently
A call, text, or voice message claims your grandchild, child, or other relative is in trouble (arrested, in an accident, stranded) and needs money right away, often asking you to keep it secret.
Already done something?
Already paid or shared something?
Calm, ordered next steps. You are not the first person this has happened to.
Where to report
Official US reporting destinations: FTC, FBI IC3, CFPB, and IdentityTheft.gov.
You are not alone, and you are not in trouble. Scams are designed to work
on careful, intelligent people. Reaching out for help, even after sending money, is the
right next step.
Helping someone else
You are doing the right thing by helping. Try not to blame them. Scams are built to fool careful, smart people of any age.
Do this now
- Do it together: help them hang up, then call their real bank or agency using a number you both find yourselves, such as one on a card, a bill, or the official website.
- Help them report it: to the bank, the store where they paid, the police, and the FBI. See what to do now and where to report.
- Watch for a second scam. After someone is scammed, they are often targeted again by fake "recovery" or "refund" services. Ignore anyone who calls promising to get the money back for a fee.
What to do now
Ordered steps for what to do after money, access, or information was shared.
Where to report
Official US reporting destinations, plus local police and the elder fraud hotline.
Family emergency scams
How the "grandchild in trouble" call works, and how to check it calmly.
Common questions
How do I know if I am being scammed?
Watch for pressure to act immediately, a request to move money or pay with gift cards or crypto, a request for a verification code, or a caller who discourages you from hanging up to check. Any one of these is a red flag.
Can scammers fake a real phone number on caller ID?
Yes. Caller ID can be faked ("spoofed") to show any name or number, including your real bank's. It is not proof of who is actually calling.
Is it rude to hang up on my bank?
No. A real bank, government agency, or company will not penalize you for hanging up and calling back through an official number to verify.
Does Hang Up First ever call people or charge money?
No. We never call, text, or email you, never ask for money or account details, and never give you a number to call for help. We are a free, read-only website. The only phone number to trust is one you look up yourself.
Sources
-
Regulator guidance
How To Avoid a Scam
-
Federal reporting portal
Report Fraud to the FTC
-
Regulator guidance
Caller ID Spoofing