FBI Warns of Telephone Scam

Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI in Mississippi, is notifying the public about a telephone scam that is targeting Mississippi residents.  The scam begins with a call during which the recipient is advised that they are eligible for a grant from the Grants Department of the Federal Government.  The grant is to be used for home/residential purposes and amounts vary from $5,000 to $10,000.  A claim code containing two letters and three numbers is provided, along with a telephone number beginning with “202,” which is a Washington, D.C. area code.  The recipient is then asked to provide either credit card or banking account information in order to pay a processing fee for the grant, or they are told to send funds via Western Union.

The Jackson Office of the FBI has received multiple complaints from residents who have received one of these phone calls and who describe the caller as having a foreign accent. 

As with most scams, the best protection against fraud is public awareness.  SAC McMullen has the following advice to help you avoid becoming a victim of a scam: 

1. Scammers count on your lack of knowledge, so take the time to educate yourself about any offer you receive.
2. Don’t be pushed into a hasty decision.
3. Don’t provide financial information over the phone to unfamiliar companies or agencies.
4. Fraudulent telemarketers understand human nature – we all want to believe that it’s our lucky day, that we can get a great deal, or that we can solve our financial problems.
5. It’s illegal for telemarketers to ask for a fee up front if they promise or claim it’s likely they’ll get you a credit card or loan, or to “repair” your credit.

 “Telephone scammers cannot take money from you – you have to give it to them,” said SAC McMullen.  “Be skeptical.  Be smart.”

If you receive one of these calls, please remember that when you send money to people you do not know personally or give personal or financial information to unknown callers, you increase your chances of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud.

 If you have information about a fraud, report it to a state, local, or federal law enforcement agency.  You may call the Jackson Field Office of the FBI at 601/948-5000.

Additional tips for avoiding telemarketing fraud can be found at www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud.

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