FBI Atlanta is warning the public about a phone scam where individuals are posing as university or college law enforcement officials by calling potential victims regarding outstanding warrants or fines against their children and asking them for payment.
The scammers are using spoofed law enforcement phone numbers, along with the names, positions, and addresses of officers. The scam is largely targeting parents or guardians of students at Georgia universities.
The following is a list of suspicious activities to look out for related to this scam:
- Calls from local law enforcement stating an individual has fines for outstanding warrants.
- Calls from local law enforcement stating the court is holding the individual in contempt for failure to appear for jury duty.
- Calls from local law enforcement stating an individual has been placed under a “gag order” and is not allowed to speak with anyone else regarding the matter.
- Calls from local law enforcement demanding the person called remain on the line until the “bond” is paid.
- Requests for monetary gift cards (Visa/Green Dot, etc.), bank deposits, and voucher purchases to clear court fines or avoid jail time.
- Requests for videos or pictures of individuals conducting a personal strip search of themselves to clear court fines or avoid jail time.
Anyone who receives a voicemail from someone claiming to be law enforcement and demanding a callback should not respond, the FBI says.
Instead, that person should call their local police department’s general phone number or go in person to verify the call.
Law enforcement personnel will never call anyone who has an arrest warrant for missing jury duty, nor will they ask someone to send money for any reason.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of this scam or other similar fraudulent activity should contact FBI Atlanta at (770) 216-3000 and file a complaint with the FBI at www.IC3.gov.
