FBI Warns Of Email Scam Targeting Android & IOS Users

Summary: The FBI is warning iOS and Android users of an email scam that impersonates law enforcement and government officials. No one is safe, so be sure to stay vigilant and don’t click on suspicious links!

Have you received an email that purports to be from a law enforcement or government official? Yeah, it’s a scam. The FBI has recently issued a warning on an email scam that impersonates law enforcement and government officials, so whether you’re an iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac user, you need to stay vigilant.

Email scams

According to the FBI’s warning, “The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is warning the public of fraud schemes in which scammers impersonate law enforcement or government officials in attempts to extort money or steal personally identifiable information.”

It adds, “Fraudulent emails may give the appearance of legitimacy by using pictures of the FBI Director and/or the FBI seal and letterhead. Common hallmarks of a scam email include misspellings, missing words, and incorrect grammar.”

However, these scams aren’t just limited to emails. The FBI says that it can also come in the form of phone calls. These phone calls can be spoofed, meaning that the number or ID that shows up on your screen can be faked to make it look like it’s coming from a legitimate organization.

“On the phone, scammers often spoof caller ID information, so fraudulent calls appear to be coming from an agency’s legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call to law enforcement.”

How to stay safe

Of course, there may be an instance when law enforcement or government officials try to reach you. However, as per the warning, the FBI says that you should be immediately suspicious if money ever comes into the conversation. The goal of these email or phone call scams is to try to extort money from you. They also attempt to steal personal information.

The FBI says that it will never call or email a private citizen to demand payment or threaten arrest. Nor will it ask you to wire them a “settlement” to avoid arrest. So, what are some of the ways you can stay safe?

For starters, don’t even bother answering a call from a number you do not recognize. Secondly, do not send money to someone you do not know or do not trust. Lastly, don’t ever give away your personal information over the phone, especially things like your Social Security number.