Fake FBI calls use spoofed numbers and encrypted messaging
THE BRIEF
Caller-ID spoofing makes the incoming number appear genuine, but it does not prove who is calling. Moving the conversation to an encrypted service allows the criminal to maintain pressure away from normal bank or government channels. The FBI says it will not call private citizens to demand payment, threaten arrest, request sensitive information, ask for prepaid cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, or instruct someone to move large sums to help catch a criminal. The warning is an official FBI publication dated August 19. It reports that government-impersonation scams produced 32,424 US complaints and more than $797 million in losses during 2025. In the Boston Division’s four-state area, 1,092 complaints accounted for almost $28.9 million. Anyone receiving such a call should end it and contact the bank or FBI through independently obtained official numbers. Victims should preserve communications and transaction records and notify financial institutions immediately.
WHY IT MATTERS
The scam combines several powerful trust signals: a real institution’s name, a frightening criminal allegation, a spoofed official number and a private communication channel. Fear of arrest or financial loss can make a person follow instructions before consulting family or the bank. Because transfers, cryptocurrency and gift cards can be difficult to reverse, interruption is critical. Banks and families should normalize ending an alarming call and verifying it independently; genuine investigators will not object to that safety step. The result can be lost money, account disruption and long recovery work for affected people.
WHO SHOULD CARE
Bank customers, older adults, families, financial-institution fraud teams and anyone receiving an unexpected law-enforcement call should care because the scheme uses authentic-looking caller ID and urgent criminal claims to obtain money or sensitive information. They need clear steps because delays can increase financial, privacy or operational harm.
WHAT TO DO NOW
- End the call and do not move the conversation to an encrypted application.
- Call the bank using the number on the card or official website.
- Contact the FBI field office through its published number if verification is needed.
- Never send gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or precious metals to avoid arrest.
- Notify financial institutions immediately if money or account details were disclosed.
- Preserve call logs, messages and payment records and report the incident to IC3.
VERIFICATION NOTE
Verified against the FBI Boston Division’s official August 19 warning. The described call sequence, spoofed number, encrypted-messaging request and 2025 complaint figures come directly from the bureau. Loss statistics cover government-impersonation complaints broadly, not only this exact script, and the brief keeps that distinction explicit. That limitation is reflected in this assessment.