Callers pretending the FTC will shut off your phone number
Federal Trade CommissionNationwide
The FTC warned on October 22, 2026 about callers who claim to be FTC officials. They say a phone was registered in your name and is being used to commit scams in another country, they read off a badge number, and they threaten to deactivate your phone number if you do not cooperate.
The story continues with a transfer to someone posing as a police officer who will take a report. If you hesitate, they tell you which search to run so you can call the police department yourself. The FTC says the people who answer are part of the scheme. They ask for identification and other personal details, tell you to keep the conversation secret, and later claim you are under arrest unless you send money as a security deposit, sometimes to travel to another country.
Red flags
- The caller claims to be from the FTC, reads a badge number, and threatens to turn off your phone number.
- You are transferred to a supposed police officer, or told to call a number you found with search terms the caller supplied.
- You are asked for identification and told to keep the call secret.
- The story ends with an arrest threat and a demand to send money.
How to protect yourself
- A real FTC employee will not ask you to send money, or connect you to someone who does.
- A real FTC employee will not threaten to disconnect your phone.
- A real FTC employee will not tell you to keep the conversation secret, and will not text a photo of an employee ID to prove who they are.
- Hang up. If you want to check a real FTC matter, use contact information you look up yourself.
If you are hit
- End the call and do not send money or more documents.
- Tell the FTC what happened at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If you paid or shared financial information, contact that company right away and use the FTC's recovery guide at consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
Questions
Is Callers pretending the FTC will shut off your phone number a scam?
The FTC warned on October 22, 2026 about callers who claim to be FTC officials. They say a phone was registered in your name and is being used to commit scams in another country, they read off a badge number, and they threaten to deactivate your phone number if you do not cooperate. This page summarizes a public warning from Federal Trade Commission dated October 22, 2026. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
End the call and do not send money or more documents. Tell the FTC what happened at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you paid or shared financial information, contact that company right away and use the FTC's recovery guide at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed.
Sources
- The FTC is not calling to deactivate your phone numberFTC Consumer Advice
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
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