FBI issues warning for phone scammers
Philadelphia (WTXF) - The FBI is warning the public to look out for phone scammers posing as the FBI.
The Philadelphia Division of the FBI issued a warning Tuesday, saying the scammers are using the FBI's name and actual telephone number as its caller ID.
According to reports, the phone scammers are targeting residents in the surrounding Philadelphia area. International students attending U.S. schools are also being targeted.
The warning issued says the scammers are calling victims and telling them there is a federal warrant out for their arrest that can be thrown out in exchange for money. There are also reports of the scammer telling international students that there is an issue with their Visa.
According to Philadelphia's FBI division, other offices across the nation have dealt with similar calls showing their local FBI phone numbers on caller ID.
The caller claims they're an FBI agent and can demand money for anything from school loans, back taxes, even unpaid parking tickets. The FBI says the caller can know the name, background, and personal cell phone number of the victim.
The FBI urges the public to be suspicious of unsolicited calls and refrain from giving out money over the phone.
Victims of scams can file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.
