The FBI warns that a new, horrible scam has emerged that puts the majority of people using cellphones at severe danger.
Federal authorities are on alert about a new scam that involves a specific phone call and some ingenious computer tactics.
Scam calls are nothing new, but this one is particularly heinous because, according to the FBI, many iPhone and Android users might not be able to identify the scammer as they get closer.
This is due to the scammers’ ability to “spoof” the caller ID number, which makes it extremely convincing. It pretends to be your local police department, a bank, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or even a technical help line.
After that, the victims are tricked into deleting money from their accounts or installing malicious software on their devices.
As is typical of such attacks, the scammer would make you feel that the problem is urgent to give you less time to think.
Furthermore, even if you are aware that malware exists, getting rid of it could be a difficult effort.
Take into account this officer’s extreme care when it comes to QR codes. With only one scan of an apparently innocuous code, a stranger can gain complete access to your phone. This includes your credit card information, phone numbers, photos, and online banking information.
In any event, following the FBI’s instructions to protect both your equipment and yourself from a costly mistake is quite simple.
Even if it seems like a trustworthy source, if you receive an unsolicited call from someone you haven’t phoned before, hang up the phone.
The FBI claims that the likelihood that such a call is authentic is so low that the risk is not worth it.
Scammers may contact you and say that they are trying to access your bank account or that you need to give them money to avoid being arrested by the authorities.
Victims have stated that scammers have been phoning them posing as local law enforcement and extorting money, creating situations like these for police departments from Virginia to New York.
According to Forbes, the most recent fraud campaign has been going on for a few weeks, and authorities have warned that “this type of scam has occurred throughout the region, including Alexandria, and across the country.”
“Scams vary, but typically the caller will pose as a law enforcement official and tell the victim, falsely, that a warrant has been issued because they missed a court date, failed to appear for jury duty, have an overdue fine, or something similar, and they will be arrested unless they pay right away,” the force adds.
Despite the fact that fraudsters have been known to “use the names of actual deputies or police officers” and hidden their phone numbers “to make it look like they are calling from a local enforcement agency,” officials maintain that this situation never happens.
In a similar vein, if you receive a call from a police officer asking for money or making any other odd request, the FBI suggests that you hang up and phone your local law enforcement to explain the issue.
The CBP has issued similar warnings in response to a “spike in phone calls” from concerned citizens who were contacted by scammers posing as CBP employees “seeking information about suspected illegal activity.”
Calls “threatening citizens that law enforcement is on the way or promising money for information” or “calling a suspect or victim to request money or social security numbers” are not acceptable, according to CBP.
