NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office is alerting consumers about two prevalent government impersonation scams currently being reported.
**Jury Duty Scam**: In this scam, individuals pose as court officials or law enforcement officers claiming that you have missed jury duty and are now liable for fines or arrest unless a fee is paid immediately. These scammers often use spoofing technology to display the name and number of a legitimate government agency on your caller ID. They may use threatening language and provide personal information such as your birthday or current/former addresses to appear credible. The scammers typically demand payment through prepaid cards or direct you to a website to enter your banking information.
Latest TN News
**Customs & Border Patrol Scam**: In this scheme, scammers call or leave recorded messages asserting that illegal items like drugs have been shipped in your name and intercepted. They may claim that a warrant is out for your arrest and demand payment for more information using cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or request your banking account or Social Security number.
Consumers are advised to follow these tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to avoid becoming victims of these scams:
– **Do not wire money or use gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps to pay someone claiming to be with the government.** Scammers prefer these methods because the money is difficult to trace and recover.
– **Do not provide personal or financial information to individuals who contact you via phone, text, email, or social media claiming to be from the government.** If you suspect a call or message might be legitimate, hang up and contact the government agency directly using a verified number. Avoid pressing any numbers if the call is a robocall.
– **Do not trust caller ID.** Caller ID can be faked to display the real phone number or name of a government agency.
– **Avoid clicking on links in unexpected emails, texts, or social media messages.** Scammers use these to steal your money and personal information. Delete such messages immediately.
If you encounter a scam, here are the agencies where you can report it:
– **Local Law Enforcement**: Report scams to your local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if theft is involved.
– **Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)**: Report scams with an Internet component to the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/, operated by the FBI.
– **Federal Trade Commission**: Contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or report fraud at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
– **Identitytheft.gov**: Report identity theft at www.identitytheft.gov. This site also helps create an Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan.
– **Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs**: Report scams to the Consumer Affairs Division of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office and find more resources at www.tn.gov/consumer.
– **Better Business Bureau (BBB)**: Report scams to the BBB Scam Tracker to help others be aware of local scams.
For additional guidance if you have been scammed, refer to: What To Do if You Were Scammed | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov).
Source: Read Original Release
Nashville Man Charged in North Korea Fraud Scheme
Nashville resident Matthew Isaac Knoot has been charged for his involvement in a scheme to generate revenue for North Korea’s illicit weapons programs by facilitating remote employment for North Korean IT workers using stolen identities, and laundering payments.