The FTC says scammers are calling and threatening to shut off your phone number. Hanging up is the safest move, and it can protect your money and identity.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning about scam calls that say your phone number is about to be deactivated. The caller claims you must act right away or lose service. The agency, which handles consumer fraud at the federal level, says these calls are a trap and not a real notice.
Scam calls like this rely on fear and a ticking clock. Losing your phone number would disrupt work, family contact and bank alerts. That pressure is the point. A person who feels rushed is more likely to press a button, share personal details or pay money without stopping to think.
Anyone with a mobile or home phone number could get one of these calls. That includes families, older adults and small business owners who depend on a single line to reach customers. A real phone company will not threaten to cut you off on a surprise call, so a threat like this is a red flag.
The steps are in the alert box above. In short, hang up, share nothing, and check your account through your phone company's official channels. Reporting the call to the FTC helps the agency track the scam.
The material does not say how many people have received these calls, who is behind them, or what the scammers ask for once someone stays on the line. It also does not name any phone company the callers claim to represent. Watch for further FTC updates.
If a caller threatens to shut off your phone number, hang up and check with your phone company using the number on your bill.
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