Scams Calls

Calls scam · added Oct 25, 2026

Your bank won't ask you to press 1 about a charge.

A message says someone just bought a laptop on your account. Press 1 to cancel, and a friendly agent takes it from there.

BANK ALERTText message

Recreation

Spot the tell. Tap the part that gives this scam away.

The tell

FRAUD ALERT: Purchase of $899.99 at ElectroMart on your account. Not you? Press 1 or reply YES to cancel.

It wants you to act inside the message: reply, press 1, or call its number.

Example from our recreation.

How it works

  1. A message says someone just bought a nine hundred dollar laptop on your account. Press 1 to cancel.
  2. A friendly agent picks up and says they can stop the charge.
  3. Then they need your login, or ask you to move money to keep it safe.

What to do

  1. Hang up.
  2. Open your real banking app and check for yourself.

Already fell for it?

Already gave your login or moved money? Call your bank now, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

What to do if you were scammed

The numbers

1,790 to 8,269
older adults reporting $10,000+ lost to impostors, 2020 vs. 2024 Source: FTC, Aug 2025

Watch it

This scam is on The Tell as a short video. YouTube, TikTok or Instagram.

Sources

Checked Oct 25, 2026.

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