If a "bank security team" calls and rushes you, it's a scam — here's how to stay calm

You deserve to feel calm when the phone rings. So let's talk plainly about one call worth knowing, because it is getting more common.

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, people lost a record amount to imposter scams in 2025 — close to three times the 2020 figure — and impersonation is now the most reported kind of fraud. The FTC points to one pattern in particular: some of the costliest scams start with a fake security alert, often sounding like it comes from your bank, and then push you to move your money to "protect" it.

What the call sounds like

• The caller may know your name, or the last digits of your card. That can feel convincing — but those details are easy to obtain and prove nothing.
• They make it urgent: your account is "in danger" and you must act immediately.
• They ask you to move your money to a new "safe account." Your bank will never do this.

What you can do

Hang up. You are allowed to. Then call your bank using the number printed on your own card — never a number the caller gives you. Take all the time you need; a real bank never rushes you, and checking is always the right move.

How VivaGuard helps

VivaGuard works right in the moment. Instead of screening calls beforehand, it listens during the call in real time, recognises the signs of a scam as it happens, and gently reminds you not to share details or move money. If you'd like, it can also alert a trusted contact you choose — a family member or friend — so you are never facing it alone.

You can join the waitlist at vivaguard.net.

Source: FTC, "FTC Data Show People Reported Losing $3.5 Billion to Imposter Scams in 2025" (June 2026).