The Louisville Field Office of the FBI is issuing a new warning to Kentuckians to be on alert for a phone scam that spoofs FBI office telephone numbers on the victim’s caller ID. The scam involves someone claiming to be an FBI agent and demanding repayment for a school loan, tax violation, or even parking tickets. The caller threatens the victim with arrest if the fees are not paid.

“The public is reminded the FBI does not call private citizens requesting money or threatening arrest,” said Howard S. Marshall, Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville FBI Field Office.

In some instances, the originating telephone number used by the scammer is displayed or “spoofed” as the telephone number of the Louisville FBI Field Office. Additionally, in other scams, callers claim to be with the IRS, DEA, or another law enforcement agency.

The FBI strongly encourages anyone contacted by a caller claiming to be with the FBI to verify the information with the Bureau. The main telephone number for the Louisville FBI, which covers the entire state of Kentucky, is 502-263-6000. Contact information for other field offices is found at www.fbi.gov.

If you are a victim of a phone or online scam, you can file an online complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.