U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is warning residents about phone scams targeting residents across the country as President Donald Trump signs an executive order making it more difficult for illegal immigrants to enter the country. It is warning you that it is harvesting personal information that bypasses financial security protocols.
Over the past several months, CBP has reported on scammers posing as fake Border Patrol agents contacting citizens, threatening law enforcement with information they are on their way, or promising money for information. I did.
Here’s how the scam is used: CBP says it receives a call from a scammer claiming that law enforcement has intercepted a drug shipment in the “target’s” name and address and must verify certain details . Make sure your case is resolved.
If the scammer’s targeted individuals refuse to comply with their demands, the scammer threatens that the police will arrive. If the person asks the scammer for proof of their identity, CBP says the scammer will often provide the name and phone number of an actual CBP employee, which can be found online, to verify the target. I am. Additionally, some scammers will even provide fake case and badge numbers.
“We are seeing an uptick in calls from concerned citizens about scammers seeking information about suspected illegal activity by CBP employees,” said Rod Hudson, CBP Director of Field Operations.
CBP says it never calls suspects or victims to request money or personal information, such as social security numbers. CBP does not use gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or wire transfers for payments. Additionally, don’t rely on caller ID, as scammers manipulate phone numbers to appear legitimate.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from CBP asking for personal information, hang up immediately and report the incident online to the Federal Trade Commission.
Law enforcement says anyone who receives any kind of phone call from someone claiming to be from CBP and asking for any type of personal information should simply hang up and report online to the Federal Trade Commission. That’s what I say.
