FBI Issues New Attack Warning — This Is Not The FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently issued a warning about a new attack campaign targeting victims of fraud who have already lost money to scammers. But what if this warning is also part of the scam? It's essential to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to threats from law enforcement agencies.
There have been enough reported cases of IC3 scams, a hub for reporting cybercrimes in the U.S., that the FBI has now issued advice on how to avoid falling into this trap. The IC3, or Internet Crime Complaint Center, is where all reports of cybercrime should start. However, some scammers are now targeting victims again, claiming to be from the IC3 and offering assistance to recover lost funds.
According to an April 18 FBI alert (I-041825-PSA), this ongoing fraud scheme leverages the trust and authority of the IC3 to further defraud victims. In just three months, the FBI has received over 100 reports of this particular attack. Like many phishing attacks, it all starts with a phone call, email, or message on a social media platform.
The scammers claim either to have recovered lost funds from a previous scam or offer assistance to reclaim them. However, beware: these tactics are just the beginning. In one recent case, female persona profiles were created on social media platforms and joined to groups where victims of such crimes talk. These personas then claimed to be victims themselves before messaging male victims with details of how IC3 can help recover funds.
Additionally, the FBI has warned that directly impersonating IC3 employees is also used in these attacks. This is a clear indication that the scammers are trying to create a sense of urgency and trust by mimicking law enforcement officials.
According to Randolph Barr, chief information security officer at Cequence, "These attacks will only become more sophisticated and personal as time goes on, and hackers use previously breached data to make their scams even more believable."
Beware These FBI Calls, Emails And Social Media Contacts
The FBI has warned that victims should be cautious of the following tactics:
- Phone calls, emails, or messages on social media platforms claiming to be from IC3
- Offers to recover lost funds through "assistance" from IC3
- Direct impersonation of IC3 employees
- Female persona profiles created on social media platforms joining groups where victims talk and offering assistance
Protect Yourself From IC3 Scammers
The FBI has offered four pieces of advice that everyone should follow to mitigate the risk of falling victim to these despicable scams:
- Report fraudulent or suspicious activity immediately to the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov.
- Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages on social media platforms claiming to be from IC3.
- Beware of offers to recover lost funds through "assistance" from IC3.
- Directly impersonating IC3 employees is also a tactic used in these attacks. Be wary and verify the authenticity of any communication before responding or taking action.
Remember, trust your instincts and never give out personal or financial information without verifying its legitimacy. Stay safe online by being vigilant and informed about emerging threats like this IC3 scam campaign.