If your phone is getting overrun with strange, unknown, or unexpected numbers, I want you to slow down before you answer. Scammers know that once they get you on the phone, they can pressure you into sending money, buying gift cards, or handing over sensitive information. And it’s not a small problem—Americans reported losing nearly $1 billion to phone scams in 2024 alone. In this video, I walk through a simple checklist I use to spot scam calls fast. First, I look at the area code—especially international numbers like +7 (Russia), +91 (India), +92 (Pakistan), +234 (Nigeria), and +232 (Sierra Leone). Then I explain why “local” numbers aren’t automatically safe because scammers can spoof caller ID using something called neighbor spoofing, often using area codes like 216, 469, 657, 332, 347, and 646. If you need to answer unknown calls, I recommend letting a blocker handle it—either your carrier’s tool or a more advanced option like Aura’s AI that screens calls and sends you a text readout. And if you do get a scammer, my rules are simple: don’t share personal info, never pay with gift cards or cash, and hang up—then call back using an official number you find online.