FBI Phoenix Tech Tuesday: Phishing and Spoofing Scams
FBI Phoenix Special Agent Suzanne Allen describes the dangers of phishing and spoofing scams.
Video Transcript
Hello.
I’m Special Agent Suzanne Allen.
FBI Phoenix is warning the public of phishing and spoofing scams.
A phishing scam occurs when someone uses an unsolicited email, phone number, or other source of digital information from a legitimate company and requests your personal information. An attachment is often included in the message. If you open the attachment or click the link, the subject can gain access to your device.
Spoofing is when contact information is deliberately falsified to appear to be from a legitimate source. For example, the victim’s caller ID may show FBI Phoenix as the caller, but that’s not the case. Victims could be speaking with a caller from anywhere in the world.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, in Arizona these scams accounted for more than 1,000 victims, with a reported loss of around $3 million in 2020 alone.
Nationally, these scams accounted for over a quarter of a million victims reporting losses of more than $260 million.
To help protect yourself from phishing and spoofing scams:
Protect your devices by using anti-virus and anti-malware software.
Don’t assume a message that looks like it is from a friend or business associate is real. Use a known phone number or email account to contact the person or company to confirm before ever clicking on a link or opening an attachment.
Do not send money or gift cards to anybody that you don’t know personally.
Never give out your personal information over the phone or to individuals you do not know.
If you believe you are a victim of an online scam, please contact FBI Phoenix at (623) 466-1999. The FBI encourages you to report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov
Thank you.
Video Download
Video Source
Recent Video
- 03.08.2023 — FBI Jacksonville Diversity Agent Recruitment Event Trailer: Special Agent Alex Silverstein
- 03.08.2023 — FBI Jacksonville Diversity Agent Recruitment Event Trailer: Special Agent Justin Brannon
- 03.08.2023 — FBI Jacksonville Diversity Agent Recruitment Event Trailer: Special Agent Lauren Regucci
- 03.08.2023 — FBI Jacksonville Diversity Agent Recruitment Event Trailer: Special Agent in Charge Sherri Onks
- 03.03.2023 — FBI Pittsburgh joint operation_03032023
- 02.09.2023 — Chinese High-Altitude Balloon Recovery
- 02.06.2023 — Inside The FBI Podcast: For The Love Of Money
- 02.01.2023 — Inside the FBI Podcast: Romance Scams (2021 Rerelease)
- 02.01.2023 — Inside the FBI Podcast: Submitting Tips to the Bureau
- 01.31.2023 — FBI Seattle Discusses Myths of Human Trafficking
- 01.16.2023 — FBI Announces $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest in Unsolved Murders
- 01.13.2023 — Section Chief Jose Perez on Violent Crime Operations
- 01.12.2023 — Sextortion PSA – Salt Lake City
- 01.10.2023 — Madalina Cojocari Missing Person's Vodcast
- 12.29.2022 — FBI Atlanta: Surveillance in Ebenezer Baptist Church Vandalism Investigation
- 11.22.2022 — FBI Charlotte: Surveillance Video in Crisis Pregnancy Center Arson Investigation (2 of 2)
- 11.21.2022 — B-Roll JCODE Takedown Los Angeles 110122
- 11.18.2022 — FBI Philadelphia: Surveillance Video in Serial Armed Robberies Investigation (September 12, 2022 Robbery)
- 11.18.2022 — FBI Philadelphia: Surveillance Video in Serial Armed Robberies Investigation (October 8, 2022 Robbery)
- 11.15.2022 — FBI Charlotte: Surveillance Video in Crisis Pregnancy Center Arson Investigation (1 of 2)
FBI Weekly Newsletter
Subscribe to our email newsletter for news on the FBI, sent out every week.