The FBI Warns of a Dangerous New Phone Scam — How To Spot It
The caller ID on your phone reads “FBI,” and on the video call that follows a man who knows your name sits at a desk with what appears to be an official FBI seal. What would you do?
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that’s exactly how an ongoing telephone scam recently went down in New Jersey. Criminals have been impersonating such government officials as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Secret Service, even using the names of real federal employees and actual agency phone numbers in the process, along with fake seals and official-looking suits, per Yahoo Finance.
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The FBI has called the scheme “insidious” because of how realistic and hard to spot it can be. However, there are ways to spot such a scam as it’s happening.
No, the FBI Does Not Need Your Money
First off, federal agents acting in an official capacity will never, ever call you to collect money. In fact, the FBI has released a statement regarding the scheme, instructing consumers to “never send money to anyone claiming to be a federal law enforcement agent.”
If a person claiming to be a federal agent starts saying things to you about cash, gift cards, crypto, wires or payment apps, all while threatening you with arrest warrants or looming court dates, well, that’s not the FBI. It’s a scam to get you to send money using payment methods that all make cash recovery and refunds difficult.
Cross-Reference Official Names
Some victims reported that they were given the names of actual publicly listed federal employees.
If you feel like you might be on the receiving end of a scam, don’t just rely upon a quick Google search of FBI agent names. Ask the person on the phone which office they’re with and explain to them you will call back. Then look up the official and publicly listed phone number for that office, call it and ask for the name of the federal agent you were given. Chances are they’ve never heard of you.
Ditto the Office Information
Caller ID can be cloned to show an actual agency’s phone number even when the call actually came from somewhere else.
Should you suspect a scam, look up a federal agency’s official contact information, call it and tell them you’re worried that you’re being scammed. Ask if an agent of that office is trying to reach you.
Tell the Caller You’re Documenting Everything
When these fraudsters initiate a video call, some are dressed in suits with fake FBI badges and desk seals. If they say something that makes you suspicious (such as insisting upon a payment), alert them to the fact that you are going to begin screen-recording their video call. A fraudulent caller will likely immediately disconnect.
If you manage to get a recording or screenshot of the caller, that information can be submitted to the FBI's tip page.
A Call That Can’t End
A fraudulent caller might tell you that hanging up on them will immediately trigger your arrest or that the matter is too sensitive for outside confirmation. They may insist that if you do hang up, you can only call them back at a particular number of their choosing.
Should you be told any of these things, the FBI has a simple alternative: Disconnect the call and contact the agency through its official local number.
When in Doubt, Contact the FBI Yourself
A call that invokes a government law enforcement agency deserves pause, not payment. Should you get a call that makes you uncomfortable due to requests for private information or financial payments, the last thing you should provide is either. Instead, find the agency’s number independently, describe the contact and ask whether any agent is trying to reach you. You can also report any suspicious contact by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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