Avoid Becoming a Victim of Law Enforcement Impersonation Scams 

FBI Pittsburgh is cautioning Erie area residents about a telephone scheme where the caller is portraying themselves as law enforcement. Because of what we’re seeing, the FBI wants to provide the public with tips to avoid becoming a victim of this law enforcement impersonation scheme. 

There are many versions of the government impersonation scheme, and they all employ intimidation tactics. In recent incidents, the FBI has seen the scammer tell the victim there is an active warrant for the person’s arrest, and the warrant can disappear, or jail time can be avoided, if the person sends them immediate payment. Scammers will often use an urgent and aggressive tone, refuse to speak to or leave a message with anyone else and will urge victims to not tell anyone else, including family, friends, law enforcement, or financial institutions. Payment is demanded in various forms including prepaid cards, wire transfers, cash, or through cryptocurrency ATMs.  

Be advised, federal agencies and our partners do not call or email individuals threatening arrest or demanding money. Law enforcement will also rarely call to announce there’s a warrant out for your arrest. They do not ask or demand money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to clear a warrant as well. Lastly, law enforcement will never direct someone to the courthouse to meet an individual outside to hand off a payment. 

If you believe you’ve been a victim of this scheme, you are urged to immediately hang up the phone and report the call. You should also contact your financial institution(s) as soon as possible to safeguard any financial accounts. 

Report these fraudulent or suspicious activities to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.  Be sure to include as much information as possible including: 

• The name of the person or law enforcement agency who contacted you. 
• Any bank account number(s) to which you wired funds and the recipient’s name(s). 
• Any cryptocurrency methods and accounts to which you sent money. 
• All related financial transaction information including receipts and banking records. 
• Related telephone communications. 
• The instructions you were given over the phone. 

While the calls appear to be a nuisance at this time, the FBI reminds the public to be vigilant and never share personal identifying information with a caller that you have not initiated contact or have not verified as a legitimate business or organization.