FBI issues warning to every American with a phone: New ‘insidious’ fraud that’s extremely tough to catch

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A phone call can look official and still put your money in danger.

The FBI has issued (1) a warning about an "insidious" new twist on a longstanding scam — one that makes it "extremely difficult" for potential victims to determine whether they're being targeted.

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For anyone with a phone, the takeaway is unsettling: the details that make a caller seem trustworthy may be part of the trap.

Real name. Official-looking number. Fake caller.

Victims in New Jersey have reported scammers impersonating FBI, DEA and Secret Service agents to steal their money.

The criminals disguise their calls with agency phone numbers and introduce themselves using real agents' names.

That means checking the name can create false reassurance: you can call an agency and they may confirm that the employee exists, even though that person isn't the caller.

The distinction matters. Confirming someone's employment doesn't authenticate the person on the other end of your phone.

One fraudster even staged a video call with a desk, FBI seal and suited man to resemble an FBI office.

The FBI's suggestion is straightforward: "Never send money to anyone claiming to be a federal law enforcement agent."

The FBI also recommends looking up the agency's official phone number yourself and calling to verify. Explain that you suspect a scam and ask whether a real agent is contacting you. If the local office is unreachable, try headquarters.

Suspicious video calls can be photographed or recorded and reported at tips.fbi.gov (2). You can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

But protecting yourself starts before an unexpected call arrives — with greater control over your personal information and a clearer view of where your money is going.

Give scammers less of your personal information

The FBI's warning shows how convincing a scam can become when criminals borrow details that check out. That's also a reason to think about what they could find out about you.