Hampton Roads, Va. – Officials are warning residents to be aware of a phone scam that has been happening throughout the region.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, scammers have identified themselves as a U.S. Marshal, FBI Agent, Virginia Beach Deputy Sheriff or Norfolk Deputy Sheriff.
In some cases, the incoming telephone number is displayed on caller ID as the telephone number of the agency the caller claims to be representing. The scammers may even provide information like badge numbers and the names of actual federal judges and courthouse addresses.
Victims have been told they can avoid arrest by paying a fine using a re-loadable credit card, and were told to call a number and provide their own credit card number to start the process.
Law enforcement, including federal, state and local agencies do not call private citizens to request money or arrange the payment of fines. People are urged to not give personal information to unknown callers.
People receiving suspicious calls are should hang up and report the incident through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center online here.
