A caller says your Social Security number is suspended, you owe the IRS, your computer has a virus, or a grandchild is in jail and needs bail money. The call is designed to scare you into acting fast. AI can tell you whether it matches a known scam.
When this helps
Use this right after a call that made you nervous, or when a caller says they will call back. Hang up first. Then ask AI.
Step by step
- Hang up. You never have to stay on the line with someone who pressures you.
- Write down what the caller said, the name they gave, and the number that called.
- Open your AI app and describe the call with the words below.
- Call the real organization yourself using a number from your card, your statement, or their official website.
Copy these words
“I got a phone call from someone who said [describe what they said]. They asked me to [what they asked]. Does this match a known scam? What should I do now?”
Fill in anything in [brackets] with your own details, then send.
Good follow-up questions
- "What questions can I ask a caller to check whether they are real?"
- "How do I report this call?"
- "I already gave them some information. What should I do?"
Before you trust the answer
Government agencies do not call to threaten arrest, and they do not ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Anyone asking for those is a scammer. Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Report Social Security impersonation at oig.ssa.gov. If you gave money or account details, call your bank right away using the number on your card.
Frequently asked questions
Does the IRS ever call first?
The IRS usually contacts people first by mail. A surprise call threatening arrest is a scam.
What is the grandparent scam?
A caller pretends to be a grandchild, or a lawyer or police officer calling for one, and asks for urgent money. Hang up and call your grandchild or their parents directly.
Can AI tell for certain whether a call was a scam?
No. It can tell you whether the call matches known scam patterns. Confirm by calling the real organization yourself.
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About the author: Nelson Lopatin
Nelson has worked on the internet since 1995 and runs US WebSites in the Rochester, NY area. He writes Easy AI for Seniors in plain English so adults 55 and older learn AI at their own pace.