Scammers pretending to be the FBI or a government agency

The FBI has warned of a big rise in scammers pretending to be law enforcement and government officials, including the FBI itself. They call, text or email, sometimes with a spoofed number, a real official's name or even a fake video call, and claim you've missed jury duty, owe a fine, face arrest or that your license is expiring.

Real officials never

• Demand payment by gift card, prepaid card, cryptocurrency, wire or courier
• Ask you to deposit cash in a crypto kiosk
• Threaten immediate arrest unless you pay now
• Offer to recover money you lost to a scam, for a fee

What to do

1. Hang up, or don't reply.
2. Contact the agency yourself, using a number or website you find independently, not one the caller gives you.
3. Check web addresses carefully. US government sites end in .gov.

Paid or shared details? Stop all contact, call your bank, and report it at ic3.gov. If it involves work information, call us on 707-755-8000.