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What to do if…
you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be emergency services

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

If this is an unexpected incoming call that feels wrong, end the call and contact emergency services or the agency yourself using a trusted number. Call 911 yourself if there may be an immediate emergency; otherwise use the official, publicly listed non-emergency or dispatch number.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t stay on an unexpected incoming call just because the caller sounds official or your caller ID looks real.
  • Don’t hang up on a 911 call that you placed yourself unless the call-taker tells you to.
  • Don’t confirm sensitive details such as your Social Security number, date of birth, passwords, one-time codes, banking details, or account numbers.
  • Don’t call back the number that called you; caller ID can be spoofed.
  • Don’t pay anything during the call, including gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, fines, bail, or fees.
  • Don’t download apps, install verification software, open links, or allow remote access to your phone or computer.
  • Don’t let the caller isolate you by telling you not to tell anyone or to stay on the line while you act.

What to do now

  1. End the unexpected call. You can say, “I’m going to hang up and contact the agency directly.” Then hang up.
  2. If there may be immediate danger, call 911 yourself now. Dial 911 from your keypad, not by redial. Say you received a suspicious call claiming to be emergency services and explain what the caller claimed.
  3. If it is not an immediate emergency, verify independently. Find your local police, sheriff, fire, EMS, or dispatch agency on an official website and call the publicly listed non-emergency or dispatch number.
  4. If the caller claimed a warrant, fine, arrest, emergency at your address, or payment demand, treat it as unverified until you have checked through a number you found yourself.
  5. Write down what happened while it is fresh. Note the time and date, the number shown on caller ID, what agency they claimed to represent, what they asked you to confirm, any case number, and whether you shared anything.
  6. If you shared a one-time code, password, banking detail, or payment information, secure that account first. Use the app or a trusted number from your card, statement, or official website; tell the provider the information may have been given to an impersonator.
  7. If you sent money, contact the payment provider immediately. Ask whether the transaction can be stopped, reversed, frozen, or reported as fraudulent.
  8. Report the call when you are safe to do so. Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for fraud reports. If the call involved spoofed caller ID or unwanted calls, you can also use FCC complaint routes.

What can wait

  • You do not need to prove whether the caller was definitely fake before you hang up and verify.
  • You do not need to argue with the caller, confront them, or call them back.
  • You do not need to decide now about credit freezes, new phone numbers, long-term call-blocking tools, or wider identity-protection steps unless you shared sensitive identity details.
  • You can deal with reports and account clean-up after any immediate safety risk and urgent financial risk are handled.

Important reassurance

Impersonation calls are designed to create urgency and make you obey before you can check. Taking a pause and contacting the agency yourself is a safe, reasonable response; a legitimate emergency route does not require you to stay on a suspicious incoming call.

Scope note

These are first steps only to reduce immediate danger, panic, and financial loss. Later decisions, especially after lost money, identity details, account access, or threats, may need help from your bank, the affected agency, an identity-theft resource, or another specialist.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, financial, cybersecurity, emergency-services, or professional advice. If you are in danger or need urgent police, fire, or medical help, call 911.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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