Scammers are posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to trick victims into revealing sensitive personal information.
On Friday, WTKR, a CBS-affiliated television station in Norfolk, Virginia, reported that a Virginia Beach man received a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a federal agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The scammer, who claimed to be calling regarding a case, shared a name, badge number, and the alleged case file number. They claimed to have the target’s bank account and home address but needed their routing number. Thankfully, the target did not provide the information and ended the call.
According to Steve Sapp, a Customs and Border Protection Spokesperson with the Mid-Atlantic Region, this scam has been going on for years. Scammers will call with a ruse to compel victims to share sensitive information.
“[When they call, the scammers] give the name of somebody who is actually with our agency. In fact, they have used my name in the past,” Sapp said, explaining that criminals make about $50 to $60 million monthly from this scam. He advised people who get calls such calls to hang up immediately and not engage with the scammers.
The CBP Phone Scam
Scammers use different schemes to deceive victims in CBP phone scams. According to WTKR, in some cases, they would claim to have intercepted a package with the target’s name containing drugs. They would then demand further details to resolve the case.
The scammers usually intimidate victims, threatening to arrest them or freeze their bank accounts if they do not comply with the demand for personal details or payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
“The first thing consumers should know is if it’s drugs, we’re not going to release it to you. We’re more than likely going to come knock on your door and have a nice little chat with you and maybe put on some silver bracelets for importing drugs,” Sapp said, explaining that the CBP will never call to ask for money or Bitcoin.
It can be difficult to identify when you’re being targeted in a CBP scam, as scammers may use spoofing technology to make their caller ID appear legitimate — although some victims have noted that scammers have foreign accents. Also, it’s nearly impossible to trace these scammers.
Protecting Yourself From Phone Scams
There are various types of phone scams, including WhatsApp scams and help desk fraud. The common theme among these scams is that they’re designed to deceive people into giving money or divulging sensitive information. Scammers often impersonate a target’s contacts or trustworthy persons.
The CBP is not the only federal agency impersonated in scams. In September 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) warned of a rise in phishing messages impersonating the organization.
It’s best to avoid engaging with scammers if you receive phishing messages or scam calls. Federal agents will never call you and ask for personal information or money. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call, contact the agency directly via an official phone number or website. Report any suspicious calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP. You can also register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov or 1-888-382-1222 to reduce unwanted calls.
If you’ve been targeted by scammers in the past, check your credit reports regularly for any errors or unauthorized activity. If you spot any suspicious activity, call your bank and freeze your credit to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Read our guide to identity theft for more information about how to protect yourself.
Scammers often target older adults, immigrants, and low-income people who may be more vulnerable or less familiar with their rights and the online world. You can stay informed by learning about the latest scams and how to avoid them. Visit the FTC’s website at FTC.gov/scams for more information and tips. You can also sign up to receive scam alerts via email or text message at FTC.gov/subscribe.
“Protect yourself, do your due diligence, but most importantly, don’t provide any personal information over the telephone, and do not wire money to anybody you don’t know,” Steve Sapp said.
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