Scammers Spoofing FBI Phone Numbers to Fool Victims

The FBI St. Louis Division is warning the public about a phone scam that spoofs, or fraudulently displays, the FBI’s real telephone number on the victim’s caller ID.

The latest iteration of the scam claims the victims are being investigated by the FBI for a tax violation. In some cases, the scammers are calling victims in Western Missouri and spoofing the phone numbers of the FBI offices in Eastern Missouri.

Last October, FBI St. Louis Division issued a news release warning the public about a phone scam spoofing FBI phone numbers to target college students claiming the victim was delinquent on student loans, taxes, or even parking tickets.

“These are old scams that keep evolving with a new twist,” said William Woods, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Just remember, the FBI does not call or e-mail private citizens to demand money or threaten arrest.”

The FBI strongly encourages anyone contacted by a caller who says they are with the FBI to verify the information with the Bureau. The main telephone number for the FBI in St. Louis is 314-589-2500; contact information for other FBI field offices can be found at www.fbi.gov.

Additionally, in similar scams, callers have claimed to be with the IRS, DEA, or another government agency. As above, be suspicious and verify the caller’s information with the appropriate agency.

If you are a victim of a phone or an online scam, you can file an online complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.IC3.gov).