The FBI's Philadelphia Division offers the below warning:
The FBI’s Philadelphia
Division is again warning the public to be on alert for a phone scam that
spoofs, or fakes, the FBI’s name and actual telephone number on the recipient’s
caller ID.
We have seen our main number
(215-418-4000) spoofed in this manner, as well as the phone numbers of the
division’s resident agencies:
Allentown - 610-433-6488
Fort Washington -
215-641-8910
Harrisburg - 717-232-8686
Newtown Square - 610-353-4500
Scranton - 570-344-2404
South Jersey - 856-795-9556
State College - 814-234-0341
Williamsport - 570-323-3791
Scammers have targeted
residents around the region, claiming to be with the FBI; the intended victim
may be told there’s a federal warrant for their arrest, which will be thrown
out in exchange for immediate payment.
FBI field offices across the
country have received reports of similar calls, showing local FBI phone
numbers. The caller says they are an FBI agent and demands money – for school
loans, back taxes, even unpaid parking tickets. The caller often knows the
name, background, and personal cell phone number of the intended victim.
International students
attending U.S. colleges and universities have also been targeted. The caller
insists there are problems with the visitor’s financial aid, and/or student
visa, and threatens deportation if payment is not made.
Please note that the FBI does
not call or e-mail people to demand money or threaten arrest.
To avoid becoming the victim
of a scam:
Always be suspicious of
unsolicited phone calls
Never give money or personal
information to someone with whom you don’t have ties and did not initiate
contact
Trust your instincts: if an
unknown caller makes you uncomfortable or says things that don’t sound right,
hang up
Victims of phone or online
scams can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at
www.IC3.gov.
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