Online Scam Protection: Protect Yourself From Scams, Fake Calls, and Digital Fraud

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Every day, scammers use phone calls and text messages to trick people into sending money, revealing personal information, or granting remote access to their devices.
These scams are getting more sophisticated — often using AI voice cloning, caller ID spoofing, and threatening language to create panic.

This guide breaks down the most common phone and text scams, the red flags to watch for, and how to stay safe.

 Scammers impersonate:

• Social Security Administration
• IRS
• FBI
• Sheriff’s office
• Jury duty offices

WHAT THEY SAY:

“There is a warrant for your arrest unless you pay immediately.”
“Your Social Security number has been suspended.”
“You missed federal jury duty and must pay a fine.”

WHAT's REALLY HAPPENING:

Government agencies never call demanding payment, and they never request gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto.

 Fake representatives claim your device is infected.

They impersonate:

• Microsoft
• Apple
• Amazon
• Best Buy Geek Squad

RED FLAGS:

• Popup on your screen telling you to call a number
• Someone asking for remote access
• Someone asking for payment to "unlock your account"

 Scammers use caller ID spoofing to appear as:

• Chase
• Bank of America
• Citi
• Wells Fargo 

WHAT THEY SAY:

“Your account has suspicious activity.”
“We need to verify your identity.”
“Please read the code we just texted you.”
 

🚨 NEVER read verification codes to anyone.
They’re trying to log into your bank.

 Texts say:

“Your package is held — update your address here.”
“Delivery failed — click to reschedule.”
 

Links go to phishing websites.

 Using AI, scammers clone the voices of:

• Your children
• Grandchildren
• Spouse
• Parents

THEY SAY THINGS LIKE:

“Mom, I’ve been arrested… please help.”
“Grandma, I’m in trouble… don’t tell anyone.”
 

This is one of the fastest-growing scams.

■ BS News: AI Voice Scams Are Getting More Real

 Phone scammers using AI to mimic voices 

■ Scammer Payback: Phone Scammer Gets Exposed

 Phone Scammer Gets Scammed by Police Captain 

■ AI Voice Cloning - What You Must Know

 Fraudsters use voice-cloning AI to scam man out of $25,000 

■ FTC: Recognizing Phone Scams

 AI can replicate voices in high-tech phone call scams, FTC warns 

■ AI Voice Scam - Deepfakes Explained

 AI Voice Scam Tricks Mother Out of Thousands | Deepfake Dangers Explained 

■ AI Voice Cloning Scam

 AI Voice Cloning Scam: How Scammers Use Technology to Steal Your Money 

 ✔ Caller ID spoofing

They make it look like a real number.

✔ Urgency or threats

They push you to act quickly without thinking.

✔ Emotional manipulation

Fear, worry, panic, embarrassment.

✔ Pretending to be authority

Police, IRS, banks, even loved ones.

✔ Asking for verification codes

This is how they break into accounts.

 Fake Bank Call Script

“This is Chase Fraud Department. We detected unauthorized activity.
For security, we need you to verify your identity. What is the code we just texted you?”
(They are trying to log in to your account.)

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Fake USPS Delivery Text

“USPS: Your package cannot be delivered. Update address here: bit.ly/USPS-verify”

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 AI Family Emergency Scam

“Dad… please help me… I’m in trouble. Don’t call anyone else. Send bail money now.”
(Voice may sound exactly like your child.)

  ✔ Never trust caller ID

Scammers can mimic any number.

✔ Never share verification codes

These codes allow account takeovers.

✔ Hang up and call back on the official number

Use the number from the company’s website.

✔ Use a robust call-blocking app

Helps block scam calls before they reach you.

✔ Slow down — urgency is a trap

If they’re rushing you, it’s probably a scam.

✔ Never pay with gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers

No legitimate organization asks this way.

  📞 CallControl – Scam Call Blocking

- Blocks robocalls, spoofed calls, and scam numbers before your phone rings.

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🔐 Aura – Identity Theft Monitoring

All-in-one protection to keep you safe from identity theft, fraud, and online threats. Available for individuals and families. Works across devices.

👉 “Protect Yourself with Aura”

👉 Try Aura

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🛡 Norton LifeLock – Identity Monitoring

- Monitors your personal information and alerts you to suspicious activity.