THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 18, 2026 Page 17 FBI Boston Warns of New Agent Impersonation Scam Spoofing FBI's Phone Number Before Urging Victims to Switch to Encrypted Application 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 spoofing 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 financial institution who informs the victim that their information was used to open an account to purchase illegal firearms. 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 confiFROM PREVIOUS PAGE Map/Block/Parcel: 067 317 70706 Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Amount: $678.08 Assessed Owner(s): Jesse M. Silva Property to be Taken: 84 Jacob Street Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: Book 68903, Page 185 Map/Block/Parcel: 141 797 719 Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Amount: $1,411.65 Assessed Owner(s): Vilbrun P. Americain & Marie Americain Subsequent Owner (s): Vilbrun Pierre Americain and Marie Claude Americain, Trustees of the 9 Brenner Avenue Realty Trust Property to be Taken: 9 Benner Avenue Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: Book 25156, Page 98 Subsequent: Book 85999, Page 463 Map/Block/Parcel: 084 405 542 Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Amount: $970.31 Assessed Owner(s): Eugene O. Ironuma Property to be Taken: 9 Stearns Street Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: Book 71894, Page 585 Map/Block/Parcel: 086 411 111 Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Amount: $1,006.58 S T 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 spoofing 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 defines this type of scam as government impersonation fraud, in which criminals impersonate government officials to collect money. Scammers often threaten to extort victims with physical or financial harm to obtain personally identifiable 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 country 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 financial 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 Hampshire reported losing $1,678,840 • 113 victims in Rhode Island reported losing $2,023,936 The FBI will never: • Call or email private citizens to demand payment, threaten arrest, or request personal or sensitive information. • Request payment via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency ATMs to avoid arrest. • Ask victims to liquidate assets into cash and/or purchase gold bars, silver, or other precious metals. • Ask you to use large sums of your own money to catch a criminal. • Ask you to communicate via an encrypted application. To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam: • Be wary of answering phone calls from numbers you do not recognize. • Do not send money or gift cards to anybody that you do not personally know and trust. • Never give out your personal information, including banking information, Social Security number, or other personally identifiable information, to individuals you do not know. Scams impersonating the FBI and other government agencies can also occur via email. Common hallmarks of a scam email include misspellings, missing words, and incorrect grammar. Fraudulent emails may give the appearance of legitimacy by using pictures of the FBI Director or the Special Agent in Charge and include the FBI seal. Members of the public seeking to confirm that they have been contacted by an actual FBI employee are encouraged to call the FBI Boston Division at 857386-2000 and ask to be connected directly. If you think you are a victim of this scam, cease all contact with the scammers immediately, notify your financial institutions and safeguard any financial accounts. Contact your local law enforcement agency, file a police report, and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Be sure to keep any financial transaction information, including prepaid cards and banking records, along with all telephone, text, or email communications. Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $2M in Fire Safety Funding TOW—The Healey-Driscoll Administration is making Annual Grant Programs Support Education, Alarms, and Home Safety Visits The annual Student Awarenearly $2 million available to local fire departments in support of fire and life safety efforts that protect Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents. ness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grants fund trained firefighter-educators who deliver age-appropriate safety education to school-aged children and older adults, as well as the associated costs of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, teaching equipment, and other expenses. “Consistent, statewide fire and life safety education has helped FIRE | SEE PAGE 21
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