May 2024
If you or a loved one were solicited through a computer pop-up, social media site, dating site, text, email or phone call by someone you have never met, and you answer "YES" to one of the following questions, you may have been targeted by a scam:
- Have you been asked to invest in cryptocurrency or in gold futures?
- Has someone claiming to be from a bank or government agency requested money, or for you to liquidated your accounts, in order to clear you of a crime or secure your accounts?
- Has someone claiming to be a tech or customer support representative requested money to remove a virus or child pornography from your computer or secure your account?
- Has someone contacted you claiming a family members is in danger or jail, and you must send money now to avoid further harm?
- Has someone you never met claimed to be romantically interested in you but requests you send them money or something else of value?
- Have you ever been directed to withdraw cash to purchase gold or silver bars to give to someone else?
- Has someone sent individuals to your home or directed you to meet in a public place to drop off or pick up money, or other items of value, to deliver to an unknown person?
- Has someone asked you to obtain cash to either purchase gift cards or deposit in a cryptocurrency ATM, or given you a QR code to deposit money into an ATM?
If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, you may have been targeted by a scam. Please go to www.ic3.gov for additional resources or to file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Persons 60 or older may call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311 for assistance with IC3.