Customs and Border Protection warning about scam in which caller pretends to be CBP and asks for personal information
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is sounding the alarm about a scam where people are called by fake officers requesting their banking details.
The call may come from an area code you know but if you answer and something doesn't feel right then hang up, the CBP says as a South Carolina man almost lost thousands of dollars to brazen tricksters in a phone scam earlier this week.
"If there is an attempt to get personal information, beyond maybe your name off a social media platform, it’s a scam," Rob Brisley, a CBP spokesperson said.
"You never want to share personal information, details about your family, your finances, bank information. It’s okay to hang up."
Scott Thompson from Bennettsville was almost stung when he received several calls from a person claiming to be from the CBP who had a package in his name.
The scammer claimed he was opening an investigation and told Scott to dial "1" to speak with an agent, which is when the South Carolina man panicked and hung up.
"I think the more people know about it and realize as soon as they get that just hang up, the quicker it’s going to go away," Scott said. "These things seem to come in cycles."
This scam is on the rise, according to CBP, which recently issued a warning on its website.
Brisley said if an agent did contact you, they'd use the US post office or a registered email address to get through, and not a phone call.
He also said CBP agents would never request money over the phone.
It comes as people report receiving pre-recorded messages stating that a box of drugs and money with their name on it was being shipped and about to be intercepted.
That's when the caller is instructed to press "1" and speak to an agent and hand over banking details.
The CBP have launched an investigation and are calling for victims to report their case to the Federal Trade Commission and to contact their local law enforcement agency immediately.
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