FCC Commissioner Impersonation "Phone Number Under Investigation" Scam

Overview

Scammers are posing as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners or employees in calls, texts, and emails, falsely claiming a victim's phone number is linked to criminal activity in order to extract payment or personal financial information.

How It Works

Fraudsters contact consumers by phone, text message, or email pretending to be an FCC Commissioner or agency staff member, sometimes using the names of actual FCC employees to make the call seem more convincing. The impostors falsely claim that the consumer's phone number is under investigation for criminal activity. They then demand immediate payment or request personal and financial information to supposedly resolve the issue, and may threaten to take action if the person doesn't comply. The FCC has confirmed it never asks for payment over the phone, never asks for personal or security information, and never threatens to take action if you don't give money or personal information.

Red Flags

• Caller or texter claims to be an FCC Commissioner or employee and says your phone number is under criminal investigation
• Immediate demand for payment or personal/financial information over the phone or by text
• Threats to take action if you don't comply with a request for money or personal information
• Request for payment via cash apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or store credit
• Caller uses the name of an actual FCC employee to seem more convincing

Real Examples

• Callers falsely claim that a consumer's phone number is under investigation for criminal activity, then demand immediate payment or personal financial information to resolve the supposed issue, sometimes using the names of actual FCC employees to make the scheme seem more convincing.

Where It Spreads

How to Protect Yourself

• Know that the FCC will never ask you for payment of any kind over the phone, including cash apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or store credit
• Know that the FCC will never ask for your Social Security number, driver's license number, bank account information, or security information like PINs and passwords
• Do not respond if you think you've been contacted by phone, text, or email by an FCC or government imposter, and hang up immediately if it's a call
• Talk to someone you trust if you're worried about a problem with your account or identity, especially if the stranger claims to be from the government
• Report FCC imposter scams using the FCC's online complaint form

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