Alert: FBI Cautions Against Rising ‘Phantom Hacker’ Scams Targeting Seniors and Draining Life Savings

Beware: FBI warns of a recent nationwide surge in “Phantom Hacker” scams targeting older adults. The result? Victims are losing their life savings. The scams generally involve imposters of technical support, financial institutions and government agencies.

To learn more:

https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2023/PSA230929

TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

• Do not click on unsolicited pop-ups, links sent via text messages, or email links or attachments.
• Do not contact the telephone number provided in a pop-up, text, or email.
• Do not download software at the request of an unknown individual who contacted you.
• Do not allow an unknown individual who contacted you to have control of your computer.
• The US Government will never request you send money via wire transfer to foreign accounts, cryptocurrency, or gift/prepaid cards.

REPORT IT

• The FBI requests victims report these fraudulent or suspicious activities to their local FBI field office and the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include as much information as possible.
• The name of the person or company that contacted you.
• Methods of communication used, to include websites, emails, and telephone numbers.
• The bank account number(s) where the funds were wired to and the recipient’s name(s).

For more information, contact SMP Hawaii.