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FBI says in some scams, scammers are ‘coaching' victims

Posted at 4:11 PM, Aug 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-30 19:31:43-04

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas City Division said in some scams scammers are “coaching” their victims to circumvent questions from bank employees or even family members.

According to a news release from the FBI KC Division, law enforcement has seen an increase in impersonation scams of federal agents.

The scam is initiated by telephonic contact with the victim. The FBI said the scammer may have some information about the victim, maybe their address or possibly the last four digits of his or her social security number.

The news release said the scammer oftentimes claims to be an IRS agent and demands back payment for taxes due. They may chastise the victim for ignoring correspondence from the government agency.

The FBI said many financial institutions have safeguards in place pertaining to large and small wire transfers. Law enforcement has learned many scammers are “coaching” victims on how to circumvent questions from bank employees and even family members should they be questioned regarding these financial transfers. The news release says the coaching is yet another way the thieves manipulate and extort an individual to adjust to counter any safeguards currently in place. 

According to the FBI, scams have been seen across the nation where callers claim to be with the IRS, FBI, DEA or other government agencies. Law enforcement asks the public to be weary of unsolicited phone calls and phone and email scams that are purportedly from federal agencies.

If you believe you are the victim of a phone or online scam, you can file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx .

If you believe you may owe taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. If you do not owe taxes, fill out the “IRS Impersonation scam” form on the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

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