Principle

Real agencies write letters

You get a call, text, or voicemail from someone claiming to be the IRS, Medicare, Social Security, a utility company, or a court, demanding action.

The IRS does not call you out of the blue. Medicare does not call you out of the blue. Your electric company does not call to say the truck is on its way to shut off your power in 30 minutes unless you pay over the phone. These institutions move slowly and they move in writing. If there is a real problem with your taxes, your benefits, or your account, a letter shows up first. Often several letters, over weeks.

A phone call that skips the letter step and jumps straight to urgency is the tell. The caller is hoping you do not know the normal sequence. Now you do. Hang up, and if you want to confirm, call the agency or utility back through a number you look up yourself.

Scams this applies to

  • Phone
    The utility shutoff threat.

    A caller claiming to be from your power, gas, or water company says your service will be cut off within the hour unless you pay immediately.

  • Phone
    The Medicare card renewal call.

    A call claiming to be from Medicare saying you need a new card and they need to verify your number and other personal details to send it.

  • Phone
    The IRS or tax-debt threat call.

    A recorded or live call claiming you owe back taxes and a warrant is being issued unless you pay immediately, usually with gift cards or a wire.