FBI warns of scam involving spoofing of law enforcement

Reporter: Rich Kolko Writer: Jackie Winchester
Published: Updated:

It’s an old scam with a new twist: Con artists are convincing people to hand over millions of dollars and to make it worse, they’re using the identities of those protecting you.

One of the most popular scams often starts with a robocall about your Social Security number.

“If I don’t hear from you, we will have to issue an arrest warrant under your name…”

Last year, Wayne Chertoff said he was contacted by someone claiming to be with the Social Security Administration.

“She said somebody was using my name and Social Security number to send thousands of dollars to Mexico and Columbia … and she said well, you have an arrest warrant out there.”

The con artist said to get rid of the warrant, Chertoff had to send $1,400 worth of Google Play cards.

Chertoff answered the call because the scammers were able to spoof a number to make it look like the Social Security office was calling, and now criminals are doing the same with another government agency.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.