AARP Fraud Prevention Watchdog Alert
The FBI is sounding the alarm on fake agent scams, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) has seen a rise in reports of impostors posing as government officials.
Criminals impersonate a wide range of local, state and federal government agencies, and the use of artificial intelligence makes these scams harder than ever to detect.
Here’s what you need to know about these trending scams.
How It Works
• You receive an unexpected call, text, or email from someone claiming to be from the FBI or another government authority.
• They could say there’s a warrant for your arrest.
• Or they may claim your identity was stolen and used to buy child pornography or launder money. They may say they need your help to catch the criminal and urge you to transfer your money for “safekeeping.”
• And they’ll likely insist on secrecy, pressuring you not to discuss the situation with anyone.
What You Should Know
• These communications can sound highly professional, may spoof legitimate phone numbers, and sometimes include personal details.
• Some even use the real names of FBI agents or local officials to appear legitimate when searched online. The goal, however, is to steal money or sensitive information.
• Remember that government officials will never contact people out of the blue to seek payment in any form or ask them to wire money, send cryptocurrency, or purchase gift cards or gold.
What You Should Do
• Avoid engaging with anyone who unexpectedly contacts you claiming to be a local, state, or federal agency official.
• If the message seems like it could be legitimate, contact the agency directly using a verified phone number from its official website.
• If you shared personal information and feel it was part of a scam, go to IdentityTheft.gov for step-by-step guidance on protecting yourself—or recovering—from identity fraud.