FBI issues severe warning for ‘red flag’ phone scam that’s sweeping through US states

Scammers are becoming more aggressive and sophisticated, and one of the most widespread tactics happening across the United States right now involves phone calls from people pretending to be federal agents.

These fraudsters are using a method called spoofing, which allows them to fake the number that appears on your caller ID so it looks like it’s coming from a real FBI office or another trusted government agency. When someone answers, the caller claims they’re with law enforcement and says something alarming—usually that the person is under investigation or has a warrant out for their arrest. They often demand money immediately, threatening jail time or legal trouble if the person doesn’t cooperate.

These phone scams are not just happening in one place. Law enforcement officials have reported cases in many states, including New York, Virginia, and Illinois. Some scammers go even further by using the names of actual FBI agents or police officers, which can make the call feel even more real. In some situations, the scammers might claim the person missed jury duty, failed to pay taxes, or is connected to a criminal case, and the only way to fix the problem is by sending money—sometimes through gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps. It’s all a lie.

The FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have all issued warnings to the public. They’re reminding everyone that real law enforcement will never call you out of the blue and ask for money or personal information. They don’t operate that way. If there’s a legitimate legal issue, you’d be contacted in person or through official written documents—not pressured into sending money during a surprise phone call. In fact, if someone calls and says they’re from a federal agency and starts demanding money or private details, you should immediately be suspicious.

The goal of these scammers is to scare people into acting quickly. They use fear—fear of arrest, fear of legal trouble, fear of losing everything. It’s a manipulation tactic, and unfortunately, it works too often. Some people, worried they’ve actually done something wrong or just overwhelmed by the aggressive tone, end up sending money or giving away sensitive information like Social Security numbers or bank account details.

Police departments and state agencies, like the New York State Police, are doing what they can to warn people. They’ve put out clear advice to help you avoid falling for these tricks. If you get a call that feels off, especially one that makes threats or demands money, hang up immediately. Don’t give out any personal information, and don’t stay on the line thinking you can talk your way out of it—the longer you stay, the more likely they are to manipulate you. If you get a voicemail, save it. If you can, write down the phone number and anything the caller said. Then report it to the proper authorities.

To check if a call was real, don’t call the number that contacted you. Instead, look up the official phone number for the agency the caller claimed to be from—like the FBI or local police—and contact them directly to ask. Real government officials will understand your caution, and they’ll confirm whether the call was legitimate.

In some cases, the scams go beyond phone calls. There have been reports of people asking to borrow someone’s phone, only to use it for transferring money or accessing private information without the person realizing. This highlights the need to be careful even in face-to-face interactions. Always think twice before handing over your phone or giving someone access to it, even if they seem trustworthy.

Phone scams are becoming more common and more convincing, which is why awareness is the best defense. No matter how official a call may sound, no federal agency will ever ask you to pay money to avoid arrest or settle a legal matter over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call, the safest thing to do is hang up, document it, and report it. You can go to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov to file a report and help them track down the scammers.

It’s important to talk to friends and family about these scams too, especially those who might be more vulnerable, like elderly relatives. The more people know what to look out for, the less likely they are to fall victim. These scammers succeed by creating panic and confusion. But with clear information and calm thinking, you can protect yourself and help others do the same.