Phone scammers are evolving. If you think they’ve stayed at the level you saw in last year’s YouTube videos—you’re deeply mistaken. In 2025, scammers’ arsenal has been enhanced with AI-generated voices, fake photos and videos created by AI, and number spoofing. According to open data, global losses from phone fraud have exceeded $58 billion annually—that’s more than the yearly budget of a small country.
The main psychological tricks remain the same—scammers exploit fear, greed, and trust. Little can be done about these human vulnerabilities, but let’s break down several scenarios. Reading and remembering them might help you recognize the trap in the moment and break free.
1. Relative in Trouble
The psychological aspect hasn’t changed. It’s a nighttime call from a close relative asking for urgent help: they’ve been detained by police, in a car accident, hospitalized, or in some nightmare situation. They urgently need money—for a lawyer, a bribe, treatment. But here’s the twist. If you could once doubt the voice’s authenticity, now it can sound identical.
How? It’s due to specialized AI that generates speech from a voice sample with the exact words scammers need. They could have gotten the sample from your relative’s podcast, Reels, or even a voice message in a messenger. Just one minute of audio is enough to recreate any voice, complete with timbre, speech defects, and filler words.
Red flags:
- the caller demands money transfer “right now”;
- the caller forbids you from calling back.
How to protect yourself:
- ask a question only the real person would know: pet’s name, school number, mother’s patronymic;
- if they answer correctly the first time—don’t hesitate to ask a couple more to be sure. If it’s a real emergency, they won’t mind the verification.
2. Bank Employee
A call from the bank. On your phone screen—your bank’s official number. You might know it by heart or check it via apps. Or it’s saved in your contacts.
— Hello, this is security. Someone just tried to withdraw $300 in Turkey (Nigeria, Bolivia, etc.). We’ve blocked it, but we need your SMS code for further action.
They might also offer to transfer your savings to a “reserve” (special, secure) account. Other offers are possible, but the voice will rush you, insist, not let you think.
Yes, phone numbers can be spoofed. It’s tricky but possible via VoLTE spoofing. The SMS code gives scammers full access to your banking app.
Red flags:
- bank employees never ask for codes—SMS will say not to share it;
- banks have no “secure,” “special,” or “reserve” accounts.
How to protect yourself:
- don’t panic or yield to pressure—calm down;
- if worried about your money—end the call and dial your bank’s support from the app.
3. Unmissable Investments
You might get a call from a “senior analyst at an international fund.” He knows you recently searched “how to earn on crypto.”
It’s a guess—many people search that—but if right, the pitch continues. They’ll offer access to a “closed platform” with 280% annual returns.
If you invest a few dollars, you’ll soon see profit on the platform. Euphoria hits, and they offer the next round—for four figures minimum.
After your deposit, the platform vanishes. Along with your money.
Red flags:
- any promise of >25% annual returns without risk is 100% a pyramid;
- no one shares free money—believe it.
How to protect yourself:
- don’t fall for super profits—free cheese is only in a mousetrap;
- if tempted, consult a “sober” friend—it’ll cool your enthusiasm.
4. You Won an iPhone
Gifts are always nice. Especially when announced with a joyful call:
— Congratulations! Your number won the grand prize in Apple’s global giveaway—iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB!
You start thinking: keep it or gift it? But no—small formalities remain: pay for delivery, customs, insurance. $100 or $200. Peanuts compared to the phone!
But no phone arrives, and the insurance money vanishes. The busy call center now doesn’t answer.
These tricks catch all types—from bargain hunters to cautious folks. The stakes and emotions are too high.
Red flags:
- real giveaway results come via regular or email;
- if you didn’t enter—it’s 100% a scam.
How to protect yourself:
- verify you actually entered;
- if yes—demand an official letter; you provided email!
5. Tech Support
Call from an international number. Caller claims to be Microsoft or other major software tech support. Your computer has a dangerous virus—they offer to fix it, free or paid.
Goal: get you to install remote access software like TeamViewer or AnyDesk. Once in, they steal passwords or lock your PC demanding ransom. Many variants—all end in loss. PC stays locked.
Red flags:
- Microsoft stopped cold-calling users in 2004; others use official emails or account chats.
How to protect yourself:
- only official contacts via account or email;
- never install software or click links from strangers.
6. Tax Refund
Caller poses as tax authority with great news: you’re owed a refund from an audit. A nice sum. They’ll send it now—just dictate card details… and the SMS code arriving.
No need to explain further. Your money vanishes in seconds.
Red flags:
- government never refunds via phone. Ever.
How to protect yourself:
- listen, note details, then call your tax office—you’ll laugh together about dodging the childish trick.
7. Messenger Code
You get a push, SMS, or email: “Someone’s logging into your account from Netherlands (Germany, Turkey)” with a verification code. Before you read it, your “son/daughter” calls screaming:
— Yes, Dad, it’s me, changed phone, send the code that just arrived—I sent it to you by mistake!
If you act first, think later—your Telegram/WhatsApp/Viber is hijacked in minutes. Begging messages flood your contacts.
Red flags:
- words like “urgent,” “quick,” “now”—panic induction.
How to protect yourself:
- read all messages carefully before sharing codes. They always explain and warn of risks.
8. Avito/OLX Invoice
Selling on Avito or OLX? You’ll meet this buyer. They claim payment sent, attach a screenshot, ask to confirm in your bank—here’s a helpful link.
The link opens a familiar bank page asking for login/password. But auth glitches. It continues until SMS alerts your money’s transferred.
Yes, it was a phishing clone that stole your credentials. Scammers logged in and drained your accounts.
Red flags:
- any links in messages and demands to click them.
How to protect yourself:
- never follow “helpful” links—open bank via app or bookmark;
- if you logged in via browser before, your name stays in login field—if missing, stop and check URL;
- enable 2FA: all transactions need SMS code or app push.
9. Call from the Boss
If you’re handling finances—this scam’s for you. Late night, your boss calls demanding urgent transfer from corporate or personal account to some details. Number and voice familiar. Rushing, threatening penalties.
Morning reveals: boss didn’t call. Number spoofing + AI voice. Complex scheme for big hauls—like $25M stolen in Hong Kong!
Red flags:
- off-hours, pressure, urgency. If normal for your company—sorry.
How to protect yourself:
- agree with boss: finances only in business hours via official orders;
- if not—set code words for urgents, call back via video for 100% certainty.
Epilogue
Scammers aren’t loners anymore. They leverage IT advances, NLP, leaked databases, specialists. The costliest mistake: “I’m too smart to fall for it.” Millions do. Right now, someone’s playing relative, buyer, or analyst.
Re-read all red flags and protections here. And don’t fall for it!