Wednesday, November 6, 2024
HomeNewsFBI Warns DC Residents of ‘Fake Police Phone Calls’ from Scammers

FBI Warns DC Residents of ‘Fake Police Phone Calls’ from Scammers

-

The FBI Washington Field Office issued a statement Wednesday, saying that there has been a rise in phone calls carried out by scammers posing as local or federal law enforcement officers.

Fraudulent callers call individuals, introduce themselves as officers and threaten to arrest the victim unless he or she pays a certain amount of fine, according to the statement.

Moreover, the caller often makes their number look like it belongs to a local police station or federal law enforcement office on the recipient’s caller ID, by “spoofing.”

“These calls are fraudulent,” the FBI said. “Any legitimate law enforcement officer will not demand cash or gift cards from a member of the public. The FBI defines this type of scam as government impersonation fraud in which criminals impersonate government officials in an attempt to collect money.”

“The criminals often threaten to extort victims with physical or financial harm or the release of sensitive data. These scammers are becoming more sophisticated and organized in their approach, are technologically savvy, and often target young persons and the elderly.”

In order to be protected from this type of scam, the FBI advises the public to be careful when they receive phone calls from numbers they don’t recognize and not to send money to anybody they don’t personally know and trust.

You should also never give personal information, including banking details, over the phone.

A total of 10,978 people fell victim to government impersonation scams in 2018, losing over $64,000,000, the FBI informed, attributing the data to the Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3).

You Might Also Like

Latest Posts

Best Seafood Markets in Washington DC: Create Your Home-Made Feast

Seafood enthusiasts can find great joy in cooking their own seafood dishes, as well. These are the best seafood markets in Washington DC.

Best Roofing Services in Washington DC: Note These Places Down

As fall has already arrived, winter no longer seems so far away. It is best to take care of your roofing needs before it is too late. These are the best roofing services in DC.

Best Study Places in DC for When You Are Bored of Working at Home

Done staring at the walls of your dorm room and sick of trying to work uncomfortably on your bed? Here are the best places to study in DC.