FBI Warns of Scammers Tricking, Intimidate Victims

Scammers are spoofing FBI phone numbers to trick victims using threats and intimidation, the FBI warns.

The person impersonates a government official and demands payment of money supposedly owed to the government, according to the scheme. The scammer often knows the name of the person they are calling and information about the person's background.

Claims made according to the FBI include:

• Their Social Security number has been compromised and linked to money laundering.
• Their Social Security number has been used to open bank accounts and the government would seize those accounts.
• To protect their money, funds should be transferred to accounts specifically set up by the government, which would be protected until the situation is resolved, at which point the money would then be returned.
• Failure to transfer money could lead to loss of funds and possible arrest.

"The public is reminded that the FBI does not call private citizens to request money or threaten arrest," the agency warns. "There are a number of ways individuals with criminal intentions can obtain a victim's name, phone number, or email address. The FBI reminds the public to limit the amount of personal information provided online, including on social media sites."

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