FTC impostor call: 'your phone number will be deactivated'

What the message looks like

How this scam works

The opening is designed to scare you: a crime, a foreign country, your name, and a deadline. The fake badge number is there to make the caller sound official. Caller ID can be faked too, so a government-looking number proves nothing.

Next comes the 'handoff.' The fake FTC official transfers you to a fake police officer to 'file a report.' If you hesitate, they may tell you to call the police department back yourself, and even tell you exactly what to search online to find the number. It feels like you're checking the story. But the number you find leads back to people working the scam.

Then they collect. For your 'report' they ask for your ID and other personal details, and they tell you to keep everything secret. Later the news gets worse: they claim you're under arrest for the crimes tied to your number, and that you'll have to travel to another country unless you send money for a 'security deposit.'

Every step builds on the last, so by the time money comes up, the story feels real. That's exactly how it's meant to feel. A fox stays calm when something is chasing it, and you can too: the moment a government caller mentions money, secrecy or arrest, you can simply hang up.

Red flags

• A caller says they're from the FTC and your phone number is tied to crimes in another country.
• A threat to deactivate or disconnect your phone number.
• A badge ID read aloud, or a photo of an 'employee ID' sent by text.
• Being transferred to a 'police officer' or told exactly what to search to 'verify' the story.
• Instructions to keep the call secret from family or your bank.
• Any request for a 'security deposit,' bail or other money to avoid arrest or travel.

How to tell it’s fake

1. Hang up. The FTC doesn't call to threaten your phone number or demand money.
2. Don't use any number, search term or website the caller gives you. If you want to check, look up the agency's contact details yourself at ftc.gov.
3. Call your phone carrier using the number on your bill to confirm your service is fine.
4. Tell someone you trust. Scammers push secrecy because a second opinion ends the scam.

What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info

Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.

If you clicked a link or called back

• If you're still on the line, hang up. You don't owe anyone an explanation.
• Block the number, and don't call back numbers left in voicemails.

If you paid

• Contact the company you used to send money right away (bank, wire service, gift card company or crypto exchange) and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
• Report what happened at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you shared personal info, a password or a code

• If you gave your ID, Social Security number or account details, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
• Ask your phone carrier to add a PIN or port-out lock to your account so no one can move your number.

Questions people ask

Can the FTC deactivate my phone number?

No. The FTC says a real employee will never threaten to disconnect your phone. That's a scam.

I called the police number they told me to search for. Wasn't that real?

Not necessarily. Scammers tell you what to search so you land on a number they control. Look up your local police department's number yourself, or call 911 if you're in danger.

They texted me a photo of their FTC ID. Does that prove it?

No. The FTC says real employees will never text you a photo of their ID to verify who they are.

Will I really be arrested or sent abroad?

No. The threat of arrest and a 'security deposit' are part of the scam. Hang up and talk to someone you trust.

Sources

• FTC consumer alert: The FTC is not calling to deactivate your phone number (Oct 22, 2026)
• FTC: How to avoid a government impersonation scam
• GSA OIG: Scammers spoofing real government phone numbers