08/11/2026
Law Enforcement Warns Public of FBI/Bank/Firearm Purchase Impersonation Scam
Local law enforcement is warning residents about a scam in which criminals impersonate bank representatives and federal law enforcement officers while falsely claiming that the victim's financial accounts have been used to purchase fi****ms.
In a recent incident, a local resident was contacted by an individual claiming to be affiliated with a financial institution. The caller falsely advised the resident that his credit card had been used to purchase multiple fi****ms. After the resident denied making the purchases, he was transferred to another individual who claimed to be an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The purported FBI agent provided the victim with a telephone number that was presented as a means of verifying the FBI's identity. The victim was then instructed to download Microsoft Teams and communicate with the purported agent through the application. The individual subsequently provided the victim with a document described as a "Confidentiality Agreement" and instructed him not to discuss the investigation with anyone else.
Law enforcement advises that these are significant warning signs of a scam. Legitimate law enforcement officers and financial institutions will not instruct members of the public to keep an alleged investigation secret, require communication through an unsolicited messaging application, or demand money to resolve a criminal investigation.
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
Scammers may:
• Claim to be representatives of a bank or credit card company.
• Tell you that your account has been compromised or used to purchase fi****ms or other illegal items.
• Transfer you to someone claiming to be an FBI agent, police officer, or other law enforcement official.
• Provide convincing-looking names, badge numbers, case numbers, telephone numbers, or documents to make the scam appear legitimate.
• Instruct you to download an application such as Microsoft Teams to continue the conversation.
• Tell you that you are under investigation or that your identity has been compromised.
• Direct you to keep the matter confidential and not contact family members, your bank, or local law enforcement.
• Eventually request money, cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, banking information, or other personal or financial information.
PROTECT YOURSELF
If you receive a call like this:
STOP. Do not allow the caller to pressure or intimidate you into making immediate decisions.
DO NOT provide personal or financial information. Do not provide bank account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, verification codes, or other sensitive information.
DO NOT send money. Law enforcement will not require you to pay money to avoid arrest, clear your name, or resolve an investigation.
DO NOT download software or applications at the direction of an unsolicited caller.
DO NOT rely on a telephone number provided by the caller. If you are concerned about your bank account, independently locate the financial institution's official telephone number and contact the institution directly.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
If someone claims to be an FBI agent or police officer and you are unsure whether the contact is legitimate, end the conversation and contact your local law enforcement agency using a verified telephone number.
Members of the public should also be cautious of anyone who tells them that an investigation is confidential and that they cannot speak with family members, their bank, an attorney, or local law enforcement. This type of instruction is a common tactic used by scammers to isolate victims and prevent them from recognizing the fraud.
Anyone who believes they have provided personal or financial information to a scammer should contact their financial institution immediately, monitor their accounts for unauthorized activity, and report the incident to law enforcement.
Remember: A legitimate law enforcement investigation does not require you to pay money over the phone, purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency, or keep an alleged criminal investigation secret from your bank or local police.
