What should I do if someone asks for my phone number and credit card to help?
Answer
Treat unsolicited requests for your phone number plus credit card as a scam. Do not provide card numbers, CVV codes, or one-time passcodes. Hang up, delete the message, and contact companies only through official apps or numbers you look up yourself.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Unsolicited requests for credit card details are a common scam pattern.
- Real refunds never require you to pay fees with gift cards.
Follow these steps
Stop sharing information
Do not give the credit card number, CVV, expiration date, banking password, or SMS codes. End the call or close the chat.
You should see: No further sensitive details are shared.
Verify through official channels only
If you think a real company is involved, open that company’s official website or app from your own bookmark or card back, and contact support there—never through the inbound caller’s link.
You should see: You confirm whether any legitimate issue exists without using the scammer’s channel.
Watch the card and freeze if needed
Check recent transactions in your bank or card app. If anything looks wrong or you shared card data, freeze the card and report potential fraud to the issuer.
You should see: Unauthorized charges are blocked or disputed quickly.
Report the scam attempt
Report the number or account to your carrier or to official fraud reporting resources in your country, and delete the scammer’s messages.
You should see: The attempt is documented and removed from your active inbox.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Unexpected calls, texts, or chats asking for phone number and credit card together in exchange for help or information
Before you change anything: Do not read card numbers aloud or type them into chat. Do not share SMS one-time codes. Use your bank’s official app if you need to verify recent charges. Report the attempt to your bank if any card data was already shared.