We know scammers are out there, impersonating the authorities and conjuring up different schemes to fool people into giving them money. They might say they’re calling from the IRS because you owe taxes. Or claim they’re from the FTC, calling to help you recover money lost to a scammer. But now we’re hearing about a new ploy: scammers are impersonating the police! That takes some chutzpah, huh? Here’s how it works.
You get a phone call. Someone you care about is in jail and, they say, you need to pay up to bail him out. The scam-detecting radar in your head immediately goes off. You’re skeptical – but the caller ID says the call is from the police department. And, let’s be honest, your nephew is a knucklehead and you can totally imagine him being arrested. So, you keep listening.
The caller tells you to put money on a prepaid card and give him the card number. Now your scam-detecting radar is going off the charts. You know that police departments — and the federal government, for that matter — don’t tell people to pay with prepaid cards. You also know using a prepaid card is like paying cash — once the money is gone, you can’t get it back.
“But what about the caller ID?” you wonder. In fact, what seems like reliable information about the source of a call isn’t so reliable anymore. Scammers can rig caller ID to look like they’re calling from the police department. Or, really, anywhere — even your own number. Don’t rely on caller ID. It’s not foolproof. Scammers can easily spoof it to try to gain your trust. If it looks like the police are calling, look up the non-emergency phone number (hint: it’s not 9-1-1) and call to find out if the story is legit. You’ll soon learn it’s a scam.
Report the imposter to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Select the category “Scams and Rip-offs” then “Impostor Scams”.
To learn more, read Government Imposter Scams or listen to these tips.
179 Comments
In reply to yo recibo llamdas de ameica by sentinela6887 (not verified)
Hola Sentinela6887,
Favor de leer este artículo llamado Antes de hacer donaciones para información y recomendaciones.
Gracias.
In reply to Good information, but....... by kcadran (not verified)
You can find information about FTC Cases and Proceedings at ftc.gov/enforcement.
In reply to You can find information by FTC Staff
In reply to So when you catch a scammer by Andy S (not verified)
In reply to So when you catch a scammer by Andy S (not verified)
In reply to No question. If you get a by Carly q (not verified)
In reply to A number called impersonating by Julie1012 (not verified)
In reply to A number called impersonating by Julie1012 (not verified)
In reply to Got a call from the police by Vee22 (not verified)
In reply to Good information, but....... by kcadran (not verified)
In reply to I just missed a call from a by Jacky (not verified)
In reply to What about when I call the by GeneralAgreement (not verified)
In reply to Estuve navegando en internet by Miguel (not verified)
In reply to Estuve navegando en internet by Miguel (not verified)
In reply to A mi me llamaron por lo mismo by Saidbarahona20 (not verified)
In reply to i;m still gitin robokalls! by senator foghorn (not verified)
Report robocalls to ftc.gov/complaint.
In reply to Rec'd several call from by EWJ (not verified)
You can report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you provide will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
Blog comments don't go into the database that law enforcement uses.
In reply to Unos dias andaba en internet by Jr paz (not verified)
In reply to I have "trooper " by carolpebbles (not verified)
If you don't want to get more calls, tell a caller to take your name off their list.
In reply to If you don't want to get more by FTC Staff
In reply to I have "trooper " by carolpebbles (not verified)
In reply to Acabo de recibir una llamada by Anuel (not verified)
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