Does the FTC call to deactivate phone numbers?

No. A real FTC employee will never threaten to disconnect your phone. That's a scam.

The caller told me to search for the police number to check. Is that safe?

No. Scammers tell you what to search so the number you find leads back to them. Find the number yourself from a source you already trust.

Scam teardown

The fake "FTC is shutting off your phone" call

By Lajhem Cambridge, Founder of Lorna · Published Oct 25, 2026

Quick answer

No. The FTC will never threaten to disconnect your phone, ask you to send money, or tell you to keep a call secret. If someone does, hang up.

Has a call like this come to your phone?

Incoming call

Federal Trade Commission

(202) 555-0164

"This is Officer Daniels with the Federal Trade Commission, badge number 40217. A phone registered under your name and number is being used for scams in another country¹. If you don't cooperate, we will deactivate your number today². I'll transfer you to the police to file a report. Do not discuss this with anyone³."

1 · A crime you've never heard of2 · A threat to cut off your phone3 · Keep it secret

It sounds official. Every step, including the "check," is part of the scam.

1
The FTC doesn't shut off phones. A real FTC employee will never threaten to disconnect your phone. The badge number is fake too.
2
They hand you a way to check. If you hesitate, they tell you to call the police yourself and tell you what to search online to find the number. It feels like checking. But the people who answer are part of the scam.
3
Secrecy, then a payment. They ask for your ID and personal details, tell you to keep it all secret, then say you're under arrest unless you send a "security deposit." A real FTC employee will never ask you to send money or keep a conversation secret.

Your calm next step

Hang up. Don't share your ID or personal details, and don't send money. If you want to check, find the number yourself from a source you already trust, not from anything the caller told you to search.

Not sure?

Text Lorna and describe the call before you call anyone back. Lorna will help you check if it's real.

Got a call like this? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Source: FTC Consumer Alert, "The FTC is not calling to deactivate your phone number," Oct 22, 2026

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