Asks for the code sent to your phone
Verification code scam
Is someone asking me to read back a verification code a scam?
Yes. Anyone who asks you to read or text back a code sent to your phone is trying to break into an account or set up a Google Voice number in your name. To check a real problem, contact your bank or Google yourself, using a number from your statement, your app, or Google's own site.
Real organizations never do this. Stop. Hang up or delete it.
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Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Phone call
- Text message
- Social media
- Website
2 They pretend to be
- Your bank
- Tech support
- Someone else
3 They ask for
- A code sent to you
- Personal details
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Asks for the code sent to your phone. What gives it away:
- Read back a code
- Give your ID numbers
Warning signs
- They ask you to read back a code that was texted to you. Anyone with that code can get into your account.
- They contacted you, then ask for your Social Security, Medicare or bank numbers.
Why we say this
Got a call about fraud activity on your bank account? It could be a scammer
The FTC says anyone who claims to spot fraud and asks you to move your money or share a verification code is a scammer. It tells you to call your real bank using the number on your statement, then report it.
Did someone supposedly spot fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts?
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Banks and retirement and investment companies use these codes for online accounts to prove you’re really you. If you share that code, the scammer can use it to prove they’re you. No caller — especially someone from your bank or investment company’s fraud department — will ever ask for the verification code. That’s always a scam.
If you’re worried, call your real bank, broker, or investment advisor. Use the number you find on your statement — never the number the caller gave you, which will take you to the scammer.
If you get a call, text, or message like this, tell your bank or fund right away. Especially if you moved money or shared a verification code.
What’s a verification code and why would someone ask me for it?
The FTC explains that scammers pose as someone you trust, claim there is a problem with your account, and then ask for the code your bank sends you. It says anyone who asks for the code is a scammer. It tells you to hang up, block them, and report it.
Scammers pretend to be someone you can trust, and say they’ve discovered a problem with one of your accounts — or that someone’s using your identity.
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They may even be very sympathetic to your problem: offering to help you set things right … and then asking for your verification code to get into your account.
If you give them the code, they can log into your account and transfer all the money out of your savings or investment accounts.
Never give your verification code to someone else. It’s only for you to log into your account.
If someone asks you for your verification code, don’t engage. Hang up. Block their number. Stop texting them.
If you’re worried there's a problem with your account, contact your bank, credit union, or investment advisor directly. Use a number you trust, like the one on your statement or in your app.
Google Account Security Scam via Phone Call - Google Help
Google says it will never call you about your account security. Calls, texts, or emails saying they are from Google Security and that your account was hacked are scams. The page tells you to check your account security yourself instead of talking to the caller.
Google will never call you about your account security. Any unsolicited phone call, text, or email claiming to be from Google Security stating that your account has been compromised or hacked is always a scam.
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Scammers frequently spoof calls, posing as Google Account Security or Support to steal passwords, bypass two-factor authentication, or trick you into approving fraudulent logins.
Google will never call you to discuss your account security, ask for passwords, or ask you to read a verification code or approve a device prompt over the phone.
Protect your verification code - Google Voice Help
Google's own help page says never to share the code Google sends when someone sets up Google Voice, and that Google staff never ask for it. It also explains how to disconnect your number if you were tricked into giving the code.
When you sign up for Google Voice, or add a phone to your account, Google sends you a text message with a verification code. You enter this code to activate Voice on your phone.
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To prevent unwanted access to your account, it's important you don't reply to any requests for your verification code. Google employees will never ask for this code.
You’re not a Google Voice user, but have been scammed to give your verification code.