Scam Alert: Fake Border Agents Targeting Texans
In a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection , agents are warning Texans that telephone scammers are targeting residents more than normal to gain personal information. They then use this info to bypass security measures tied to your accounts.
Living In A Scammer's Paradise
Border agents and employees are continuing to receive calls from concerned people who are contacted by suspected scammers . These scammers pose as border employees, stating they work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Houston Acting Director of Field Operations Rod Hudson stated that these scammers are notifying residents that they suspect illegal activity. In order to resolve the situation, personal information is required, according to the scammers.
Hudson went to on assure that public that "if CBP suspects illegal activity, we will not call a suspect or victim requesting money or social security numbers." He went on to say that CBP will never call citizens and threaten them by saying law enforcement is on their way or promising to give information in exchange for money.
Common Tactics of Phone Scammers
A common scheme from scammers is where they call a resident and inform them that there is a large package of drugs that is addressed to them. The scammers then tell the resident that they need personal information and social security numbers in order to close the case.
Scammers then threaten the caller if they refuse, saying that police will be dispatched if they do not comply.
To make things worse, scammers have given real employee names and phone numbers when confronted. They easily found this information online, but they will also provide fake case and badge numbers.
CBP includes things to keep in mind when you encounter a suspicious call:
Visit the Federal Trade Commission site if you suspect you are being scammed and report the fraud .
Stay alert, Texas!
