The FBI Memphis Field Office is warning about a new phone scam that targets seniors and young people. The scammers pretend to be U.S. Marshals, court officers, and other officials asking for money or, in some cases threatening people to get what they want.
It can be convincing to a lot of victims. The FBI estimates Tennesseans lost more than $1 million to similar government impersonation scams in 2021.
During these government impersonation scams, officials said people are demanding payment through cash or gift cards or sometimes going as far as threatening to extort victims with physical or financial harm in order to get more information.
To keep yourself safe, remember to never give out personal info like banking numbers or your social security number to people you don’t know.
