DETROIT – Scammers impersonating federal agents are calling people and demanding account information or payment over the phone, according to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Michigan and Ohio.
HSI said the public should not fall for this as they will never ask for money or attempt to arrest anyone over the phone.
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“These calls come in with a false sense of urgency, because there is an alleged law enforcement action against you, usually an intercepted package of money, drugs or both”, said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “These scammers are looking to scare you into either sharing or confirming your bank information or sending cash. HSI will not contact you by phone for your bank information or cash. If you receive a call like this, do not share any information and promptly report it to the HSI tipline at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP.”
HSI also said they would not call anyone from the main tip line’s phone number. The department advises to think twice before answering a call from an unknown number.
HSI provided the following tips to keep scammers away:
- Hang up: HSI won’t call to threaten you with jail time and demand money instead of jail. If the caller asks you to pay a fee or share your social security, credit card, or bank account numbers over the phone—hang up.
- Ask questions: Do not provide ANY information to the caller. Instead, ask the caller for their name and badge number and tell them you will call their agency’s main line to verify. If you get an excuse, that’s a pretty good indicator that it’s a scam.
- Check the web: If the caller leaves a message, do not contact the email or number being given. Instead, contact the organization directly via its official website.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this scam is urged to call the HSI tipline at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP.
