ATLANTA, Ga. (WTOC) - Federal authorities are warning people about scammers impersonating prosecutors and law enforcement agents to steal money by claiming victims are involved in fraud investigations.

In a media release WTOC just received, the FBI said fraudsters, potentially operating from outside the United States, are contacting Americans nationwide through phone calls, text messages, and emails.

Officials say the scammers pose as federal agents or prosecutors and claim the person is either a victim of fraud or a suspect in a fraud investigation.

“These fraudsters are capitalizing on fear and intimidation because nobody wants to be the victim of a crime or the subject of a law enforcement investigation,” said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis. “The FBI will actively pursue and charge those who participate in such criminal activity.”

Real authorities don’t ask for money

U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes said the scammers exploit people’s desire to comply with what they believe are lawful requests from law enforcement.

“Fraudsters will go to great lengths to steal money from people who, in this case, believe they are dutifully complying with lawful requests by law enforcement or prosecutors,” Keyes said. “No one in the U.S. Attorney’s Office will contact a citizen with demands for bank account information and money.”

Federal authorities do not call victims or suspects and ask for money or personal information over the phone. Anyone receiving such calls or emails should not provide personal information, credit card numbers, prepaid cards, or money.

This is very similar to many scams local law enforcement offices have been warning residents in our area about for months now.

How to avoid getting scammed

The FBI recommends several steps to avoid becoming a victim:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages, and emails
• Never give money or personal information to unknown callers
• Trust your instincts and hang up if a caller pressures you or says things that don’t sound right
• Verify information with appropriate law enforcement agencies or court officials if concerns remain

People who believe they have been targeted by this scam should file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. The report should include a description of the caller and any available caller ID information.

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