Protecting Yourself from Imposter Scams: Don’t Fall Prey
We are issuing this warning to address the increasing prevalence of scams targeting our clients and to offer guidance and support to those who may have been affected. The landscape of scams is continuously evolving, particularly with the growing reliance on the internet. The FBI has raised concerns about a surge in "phantom hacker" scams. Imposter scams, where fraudsters pose as bank employees, acquaintances, government agencies, or even the FBI, are experiencing a significant rise.
In 2023, business imposters, those who deceitfully claim affiliation with reputable retailers, utility companies, or financial institutions, caused victims to suffer losses totaling $752 million. The communications sent by these scammers appear legitimate, featuring convincing logos, emails, and website links. Additionally, when engaging in phone calls, the individuals on the other end often exude professionalism and authority.
- Phantom Hacker/Tech Support Scams
- Government or Law Enforcement Scams
- Anatomy of an Imposter Scam
- What to Watch For
- How to Avoid
- How to Report
Phantom Hacker/Tech Support Scams¶
"Phantom hacker" scams often begin with a call from “tech support,” urging individuals to click on a link to download software in order to grant remote access for system inspection. They may even request permission for the program to run overnight, during which they scan computers to extract financial information. This may involve searching through emails for tax returns or saved passwords. In some instances, they may request access to online banking and the one-time password sent to your cell phone. Subsequently, they exploit this access to execute external transfers, bill payments, or Zelle® payments from your account. They might even transfer funds between your accounts to create the illusion of an accidental large sum deposit that requires repayment.
Government or Law Enforcement Scams¶
Please be aware that you might receive phone calls from individuals who claim to be from the Federal Trade Commission, government officials, the FBI, or other law enforcement agencies. Lately, these calls have been made to seem like they are coming from law enforcement. The callers may use scare tactics by alleging your involvement in criminal activities such as child pornography or illegal dealings with foreign countries like China. The fraudster might then transfer the call to someone claiming to be a bank representative and instruct you to transfer funds for safekeeping while an investigation is conducted. They may also advise against contacting your regular banker, claiming that they are involved in the investigation. They typically warn against sharing any information, saying it's part of a confidential criminal investigation.
Any time an individual alleges fraudulent or criminal activity on your accounts and advises transferring funds from your bank, investment, or retirement accounts to "protect" them, you can rest assured it is a scam; end the correspondence immediately and notify the authorities.
Anatomy of an Imposter Scam¶
How can you tell it's a scam? If the caller says you need to buy gift cards, go to a cryptocurrency ATM, or go to the bank in person while they stay on the phone with you, that's a scammer. And if the caller tells you to lie to anyone who asks why you're transferring or withdrawing so much money, that's also a clear sign of a scam.
Here's what else to know and do about these scams:
- It's important to remember that no government official will ever tell you to move your money to "protect" it. Anyone who does is a scammer impersonating a government official.
- Ignore all unexpected requests for money. Never transfer or send money, cryptocurrency, or gold to someone you don't know in response to an unexpected call or message.
- Verifying the story. If you think there's a real problem with one of your accounts, contact the company using a phone number, website, or app you know is real. Don't use the contact information in the message you get. It's that straightforward.
What to Watch For¶
Scammers may utilize caller ID to make it appear as if they are calling from your bank, Amazon, a tech support company, or an official government number.
Text or email: Scammers may initially contact you via text or email and then proceed to follow up with a phone call from "the fraud department."
Here are some common phrases and tactics they might use:
- They may allege a problem with your account, such as fraudulent or suspicious activity.
- They may inform you that you must provide personal information, send a payment, or reverse it to resolve the issue.
- They may request you to move your money to "protect" or "safeguard" it, such as instructing you to send it to yourself using a payment application or add it to your digital wallet.
How to Avoid¶
Don't click!
- Do not click on unsolicited pop-ups, links sent via text messages, email links, or attachments.
- Do not download software at the request of an unknown individual who contacted you.
- Do not grant control of your computer to an unknown individual who has contacted you.
Verify the number
- Avoid contacting the phone number in a pop-up, text, or email. Before making a call, verify the number to ensure you communicate with the legitimate institution.
Don't feel pressured
- Scammers may attempt to prompt an immediate response, but it's important not to succumb to pressure.
Don't send money or provide personal information based on contact via phone or email.
How to Report¶
Time is of the essence when you're trying to recover funds. You can also report to IC3.gov and the Federal Trade Commission.
IC3.gov: The FBI requests victims report these fraudulent or suspicious activities to their local FBI field office and the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include as much information as possible.
- Provide the name of the person or company that contacted you.
- Detail the methods of communication used, including websites, emails, and telephone numbers.
- Include the bank account number(s) where the funds were transferred and the recipient's name(s).
You can report scams to the FTC by going to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It's important to report scams to the Federal Trade Commission. By doing so, you're not only helping yourself but also preventing future fraudulent activities.
For additional information on similar scams, please see previous Public Service Announcements published on the FBI IC3 website.
