Scam library · Government impostor · Phone calls · Seniors
FBI agent impostor call
A caller says they're an FBI agent investigating money laundering connected to your identity. You must cooperate, keep the call secret and move your savings to protect them.
It's a scam. Real FBI agents don't call to demand payments, threaten arrest over the phone, or ask you to move money.
What the message looks like
From: Caller ID shows a local FBI field office number
This is Special Agent Michael Reyes, FBI. Your Social Security number was found at a crime scene linked to money laundering.
To protect your assets, you must transfer your savings to a secure government account. This call is confidential.
How this scam works
The FBI warns that scammers impersonate law enforcement and government officials, often spoofing real office phone numbers. They may send fake badges, IDs or official-looking documents.
They may tell you not to talk to bank staff or family, or ask you to buy gold or withdraw cash for a courier.
Some scammers pose as the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, offering to help scam victims recover money. The FBI has warned about IC3 impersonation.
Government impersonation scams are often combined with tech support and bank impersonation in what the FBI calls the Phantom Hacker scam.
If you're unsure, hang up and call your local FBI field office using a number from fbi.gov.
The more official the caller sounds, the more important it is to verify.
Scammers often build the story over several calls, passing you from a fake 'bank fraud department' to a fake 'FBI agent' to make it feel like a real investigation. Each person confirms what the last one said.
Remember: no real law enforcement agency will ask you to move money to keep it safe, pay to avoid arrest, or keep an investigation secret from your family.
Red flags
- Calls from 'FBI agents' about crimes linked to you.
- Requests to move money or buy gold.
- Secrecy instructions.
- Photos of badges or IDs sent by text.
- Spoofed caller ID.
How to tell it’s fake
- Hang up and call the FBI using a number from fbi.gov.
- Talk to family or your bank.
- Remember the FBI doesn't demand payments.
- Be wary of anyone offering to recover lost money.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- Hang up. Report the call to ic3.gov.
If you paid
- If you paid, contact your bank right away and report to ic3.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If you shared personal details, watch for identity theft.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard runs in Chrome and Edge on your computer, so it can't hear calls. When law enforcement impostors send emails, documents or websites, Scam Guard checks them and warns before you act. If something seems legit, a scam expert can check it.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- Does the FBI call people about crimes?
- Not to demand payment or ask you to move money.
- They had a real FBI number on caller ID. Is it real?
- Caller ID can be spoofed.
- What's the Phantom Hacker scam?
- A scheme combining tech support, bank and government impostors.
- Can the IC3 call me to return money?
- Be careful. The FBI has warned about IC3 impersonation.
- They told me not to tell my bank. Why?
- Because your bank would likely stop the transfer. Secrecy instructions are a major red flag.