FBI warns iPhone and Android users to hang up the call if you hear this

A phone rings, and on the screen, a familiar and trusted name appears—your bank, a government agency, or even law enforcement. The voice on the other end speaks with authority, warning of fraudulent activity on your account or a looming legal issue. They sound helpful, even reassuring, as they guide you through the steps to “protect yourself.” But there’s one catch: they insist you stay on the line.

This seemingly small request is a calculated trap. The FBI has issued a warning about a rising wave of phone scams where fraudsters use caller ID spoofing and psychological manipulation to exploit fear and urgency. By keeping victims on the line, they prevent independent verification, making it easier to extract personal information or drain accounts. Understanding this tactic is crucial because recognizing the danger in time—and hanging up immediately—could mean the difference between staying safe or becoming the next victim.

The Scam: How It Works and Why It’s So Dangerous

Scammers have evolved far beyond the old tactics of suspicious emails and obvious phishing attempts. Today, they use caller ID spoofing, a technique that allows them to disguise their phone numbers to appear as trusted institutions—your bank, a government agency, or even law enforcement. When you answer, a professional-sounding voice delivers an urgent warning: your bank account has been compromised, a large unauthorized transaction is in progress, or you’re under investigation for unpaid taxes or criminal activity. They emphasize the need for immediate action, creating a sense of urgency that makes it difficult to think logically.

What makes these scams particularly dangerous is their ability to manipulate victims into staying on the line. By insisting that you do not hang up, they ensure that you don’t take a moment to verify their claims. They may say that disconnecting the call could worsen your situation—perhaps your account will be permanently frozen, or the police will be dispatched to your home. This pressure can make even the most skeptical individuals second-guess themselves, especially when fear and confusion cloud their judgment.

Once they have you engaged, the real damage begins. Some scammers instruct victims to transfer their money into a “safe account”, claiming it’s a temporary measure to protect their funds—when in reality, that account belongs to the fraudsters. Others may coax victims into revealing sensitive personal details, like Social Security numbers, online banking credentials, or one-time security codes sent by their bank. The longer the call lasts, the higher the risk of financial loss, identity theft, and irreversible damage. By the time the victim realizes something is wrong, it’s often too late.

The Key Warning Sign: If You Hear This, Hang Up Now

Among all the tricks scammers use, one stands out as a major red flag: they insist you stay on the line. This seemingly harmless instruction is, in reality, a calculated move designed to trap victims in a state of fear and compliance. The FBI warns that if a caller—especially one claiming to be from a financial institution, law enforcement, or a government agency—tells you not to hang up, it’s a clear sign of fraud.

By keeping you engaged, scammers prevent you from verifying their claims. They know that the moment you pause to think critically or contact your bank directly, their illusion will fall apart. Some fraudsters even instruct victims to stay on the call while they log in to their bank accounts, guiding them step by step to transfer money or provide access credentials. Others demand that victims keep the call open while they visit an ATM or withdraw large sums of cash for a so-called “secure deposit.”

This manipulation works because it hijacks the natural human response to authority and urgency. When a caller presents themselves as an official figure and insists on immediate action, many people instinctively comply—especially when fear is involved. That’s why the most important step you can take is simple: if you hear a caller say, “Do not hang up,” disconnect immediately. No legitimate institution will ever require you to remain on a call to handle a security issue. Hanging up isn’t just the safest option—it’s the smartest defense against falling victim to these sophisticated scams.

How Scammers Exploit Human Psychology

Scammers don’t just rely on technology—they exploit human psychology to manipulate victims into compliance. Fear, urgency, and the illusion of authority are their most powerful tools. When a caller claims to be from the FBI or your bank, your instinct may be to listen and obey, especially if they present an immediate threat—like the risk of losing your savings or facing legal action. This taps into a psychological principle known as the authority bias, where people are more likely to trust and comply with perceived figures of authority, even when something feels off.

Another tactic at play is urgency manipulation. Scammers deliberately create a sense of panic, telling victims that time is running out to secure their accounts or avoid criminal charges. This sense of pressure short-circuits rational thinking, making it harder for individuals to step back and question what’s happening. Studies show that when people are placed in high-stress situations, they become more susceptible to suggestion, which is exactly what scammers want.

These scams also prey on trust and obedience. Many victims aren’t naïve—they’re simply caught off guard and conditioned to follow instructions from authoritative figures. Even financially savvy individuals have fallen for these schemes because, in the heat of the moment, the fear of making the “wrong” move overrides skepticism. This is why the FBI’s warning is so critical: recognizing how scammers manipulate human behavior is just as important as spotting the technical red flags. The moment you feel pressured to act without verifying the situation, it’s time to step back, take control—and hang up.

FBI’s Advice: How to Protect Yourself

The FBI’s official guidance is clear: if a caller tells you to stay on the line, the safest thing to do is hang up immediately. No legitimate institution—whether it’s your bank, a government agency, or law enforcement—will ever demand that you remain on a call to resolve an issue. Scammers rely on keeping victims engaged long enough to pressure them into compliance, so the simplest and most effective defense is to disconnect and verify the claim independently.

To protect yourself from falling victim to these scams, the FBI recommends following these key steps:

• Never provide personal or financial information over the phone. If someone calls unexpectedly asking for sensitive details, assume it’s a scam. Your bank and government agencies will never request your account credentials, Social Security number, or security codes over the phone.
• Verify the caller’s identity. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the organization directly using a verified phone number—not the one provided by the caller. Look up the number yourself on the company’s official website or your account statements.
• Be skeptical of urgent threats. Scammers thrive on fear, using time-sensitive language to pressure victims into quick decisions. If someone claims you’re about to lose money or face legal action, take a step back and think critically. Real institutions will always give you time to verify and respond.
• Enable call screening and spam blocking. Many smartphones now offer built-in call screening features that flag suspicious numbers. Consider using apps that detect and filter scam calls before they even reach you.
• Report the scam. If you receive a fraudulent call, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, as well as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Your report can help law enforcement track and shut down these operations.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but awareness is your best defense. The more people recognize these tactics, the harder it becomes for fraudsters to succeed. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can protect yourself—and help prevent others from falling victim.

Why This Warning Matters More Than Ever

Phone scams are nothing new, but the tactics fraudsters use are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. With advancements in AI-driven voice cloning, scammers can now mimic real voices, making their deception even more convincing. Some reports suggest that criminals are using artificial intelligence to replicate the voices of bank representatives, law enforcement officers, and even family members, adding another layer of psychological manipulation to their scams.

The rise of deepfake technology and AI-generated speech makes it more crucial than ever to rely on actions, not just voices when verifying a caller’s legitimacy. Scammers no longer need to rely on generic scare tactics—they can make it sound like someone you trust is speaking to you. That’s why financial institutions and cybersecurity experts emphasize the importance of hanging up and verifying independently rather than engaging in prolonged conversations.

The FBI’s warning is not just another scam alert—it’s a wake-up call. As fraudsters refine their methods, staying aware and spreading this information is the most powerful tool against them. Education and vigilance can stop these criminals in their tracks, protecting individuals from losing their savings, personal data, and peace of mind. If you receive a call that feels off, trust your instincts, hang up, and verify—because in today’s digital world, even a familiar voice may not be what it seems.