Know the warning signs and spot a vishing scam where fake law enforcement calls to threaten arrest and demand payment.
In this week’s scam, you receive a frightening phone call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. They tell you there is a warrant for your arrest because you missed jury duty, failed to appear in court, or owe unpaid taxes. They might even use your real name, tell you their badge number, or give you a specific court case number. All this information may lead you to believe that you are in serious legal trouble.
However, this is actually a vishing, or voice phishing, scam! You’re not speaking to a real law enforcement officer, but a cybercriminal who is trying to make you panic. Their goal is to scare you into acting without thinking. They will ask you to pay a fine by wiring money, purchasing gift cards, or sending cryptocurrency if you want to avoid being arrested. Remember, you aren’t actually in any legal trouble, and if you pay this “fine”, you’ll be giving your money directly to a scammer!
Tips to Stay Safe
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a vishing scam:
- If someone calls you and threatens to arrest you unless you pay a fine immediately, it’s a scam. Cybercriminals often try to scare you into acting without thinking.
- Keep in mind that cybercriminals can search online for public information, such as a case or badge number, and use it to make their scams appear more convincing.
- Real law enforcement agencies will never ask you to pay a fine using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If anyone asks for these payment methods, hang up.
Stop. Look. Think. And don’t be fooled.
Tips of the Week Brought to You By Our Partners at KnowBe4
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