FBI’s Vancouver office warns of scam phone calls

The FBI’s Vancouver office has received multiple reports of scam calls from people claiming to be bureau representatives, complete with authentic-looking numbers on the caller ID.

Scammers have been fooling caller ID systems to read “FBI” or the agency’s Vancouver office number, 360-659-5661, using a trick called spoofing. The FBI said its Vancouver office started receiving word that its number was being spoofed in February 2015, and the frequency of reports has risen to an average of about four a day.

Targets described repeated calls and odd statements from the callers, such as saying a formal complaint has been filed against the mark’s daughter, the agency said. The scammers reportedly spoke with thick foreign accents and became angry when targets questioned their legitimacy.

The FBI said its bureau employees leave full names and contact information, and added that the scammers may be trying to groom call recipients.

“Scammers try to cultivate fear in their victims so they can then demand money,” according to the FBI.

Federal agencies do not call or email individuals with threats about money, the FBI said.

The FBI does call private citizens at times. If there’s any question, people can confirm an employee is the genuine article by getting the caller’s full name and field office. Then, they can call the local field office (for Vancouver, that is the Seattle Division at 206-622-0460) and ask to speak to that person. The field office Operations Center staff will connect callers to the legitimate FBI employee, the agency said.