The ongoing threat of government impersonation phone scams has led to public warnings from federal agencies as criminals employ advanced methods to deceive potential victims.
At a Glance
- The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and the FBI are warning about imposter scams.
- Scammers pose as law enforcement to collect fines.
- Victims are often coerced into making bitcoin ATM payments.
- Federal agencies urge the public to report any suspicious calls.
Rising Tide of Impersonation Scams
The U.S. Marshals and the FBI caution against impostors claiming to be law enforcement officials. These scammers convincingly present themselves as U.S. marshals or court officers, threatening victims with fines and arrest. One common scheme involves claiming that the individual failed to respond to a jury duty notice or committed identity theft, thereby pressuring them to settle matters through payments or face legal action.
Fraudsters often employ sophisticated tactics to appear credible. By spoofing caller IDs, they ensure the phone number displayed appears official, matching that of a well-known agency, alongside providing real names or badge numbers of officials.
The issue with impersonation scams is prevalent enough that authorities have issued multiple warnings over the years. The clip above covers a warning from 2022, while an alert from November 2024 was sounded in the wake of scam attempts reported in Colorado.
Financial Manipulation via Bitcoin ATMs
The anonymity and irreversibility associated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have become preferred tools for scams. Victims are instructed to withdraw a significant amount of money, and instructed to use bitcoin ATMs to deposit their assets into digital wallets, with the false assurance that the funds will be returned post-compliance.
“The U.S. Marshals Service WILL NEVER ask for credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose,” per the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Marshals Service, in February 2024.
Frequently, upon initial payment, victims are re-targeted by the scammers posing as another law enforcement official. They might be provided “legal services” options or face further interrogation to extort more funds, revealing the intricate nature of these deceitful operations.
The U.S. Marshals and the FBI are alerting the public of several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials: https://t.co/axobPFQLgC pic.twitter.com/B129osP49r
— U.S. Marshals Service (@USMarshalsHQ) October 5, 2022
Steps for Protection and Prevention
The USMS and FBI implore citizens to remain vigilant, reminding the public they will never solicit personal financial information or digital currency deposits. Legitimate court orders or subpoenas should be verified through official channels, and individuals should exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls.
Agencies have increased advisories to report scams to local authorities and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), ensuring a collaborative national response. The severity and growing nature of these scams underline the necessity for public engagement and awareness. The FBI estimates significant financial losses, underscoring the need to protect against potential identity theft and financial exploitation.
Sources
- US Marshals and FBI Warn Public of Nationwide Phone Scams
- U.S. Marshals, FBI Urge Public: Report Phone Scams
