THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 18, 2026 Page 5 FBI Boston Warns of New Agent Impersonation Scam Spoofi ng FBI’s Phone Number Before Urging Victims to Switch to Encrypted Application T he Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning the public about a new agent impersonation scam in which victims receive phone calls from scammers who are spoofi ng FBI Boston’s main phone number and encouraging them to download an encrypted application to continue communications. The scam starts with a call from someone posing as a representative from a fi nancial institution who informs the victim that their information was used to open an account to purchase illegal fi rearms. The victim is then transferred to someone claiming to be an FBI special agent “investigating” the fraud and is encouraged to verify the number, at which point the call inexplicably disconnects. Shortly after, victims reported receiving a return call appearing to be from FBI Boston’s main number, 857-386-2000. The scammer then provides a fake name and badge number to further trick the victim into believing they are speaking with an actual FBI agent and may tell the victim to move the conversation to an encrypted messaging application. Victims are further advised that all communications are confi dential and should not be shared with anyone. These calls are fraudulent. The FBI will never call or email private citizens to demand payment, personal information, threaten arrest, or ask you to communicate via an encrypted application. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the interaction to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. “Scammers are utilizing fear, urgency, and increasingly sophisticated tactics — including spoofi ng trusted phone numbers — to push people into acting before they can think it through,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “If you get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be the FBI or any law enforcement agency, stop. Hang up. Then verify the caller by contacting the organization directly using a number you found yourself. That pause can shut down a scam and keep criminals from turning your panic into their payday.” The FBI defi nes this type of scam as government impersonation fraud, in which criminals impersonate government offi cials to collect money. Scammers often threaten to extort victims with physical or fi nancial harm to obtain personally identifi able information (PII), such as a Social Security number, credit card or bank information, money, or access to a computer or phone. These scams are a persistent problem, and we encourage the public to remain vigilant. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 32,424 people across the counGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 MORE SUPP MORE SOLUTIONS. LESS WORR PP OLUTIONS. RR. Clear answers, faster decisions, and a t to get things done. We make it easy for Because here, easy means more. r o ge EverettBank.com try reported being victims of government impersonation scams in 2025, with losses totaling more than $797 million. Here in the Boston Division, which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, 1,092 complaints were filed with fi nancial losses totaling $28,895,404. • 125 victims in Maine reported losing $684,587 • 706 victims in Massachusetts reported losing $24,508,041 • 148 victims in New HampSCAM SPOOFING | SEE PAGE 7
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