Month: June 2021

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Oregon FBI Tech Tuesday: Building a Digital Defense Against Scams Targeting Doctors

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against drug scams targeting doctors.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is seeing more and more reports of a scam that is targeting both active and retired doctors. The victim receives a call or message from someone claiming to be a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent.

The alleged DEA agent claims that someone is using the doctor’s DEA number to illegally prescribe tens of thousands of units of opioids. The scammer tells the doctor that he or she needs to change her Social Security number and/or is subject to arrest for the illegal activity.

If you get one of these government impersonation scam calls, here’s how to protect yourself:

  • Never respond to unsolicited or unknown calls or messages.
  • If someone asks you for your Social Security number or other personal financial or health information, hang up.
  • If you receive an email or text message asking you to click on a link—don’t do it. The fraudster is likely trying to get you to download malware onto your device.

If you are the victim of an online fraud, you should report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at  www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.

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“No Drone Zone” in Place for the U.S. Olympic Trials in Lane County

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

Note to Eugene media: in-person interviews are available between 1 and 2 p.m. Please contact media.portland@fbi.gov to schedule a time.

The FBI, working with local, state, and federal partners, will enforce a “no drone zone” area in Eugene and Springfield during the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field. The zone, which falls under a temporary flight restriction (TFR), will be established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will be in effect during the active event days (June 18 to 21 and June 24 to 27).

The TFR will run two nautical miles out from Hayward Field on all active event days and three nautical miles out (to include the Race Walk events in Springfield) on June 26.

The FAA B4UFLY mobile app is one of many ways that drone operators can access information about controlled airspace, special use airspace, critical infrastructure, airports, national parks, military training routes, and temporary flight restrictions. The B4UFLY app is available to download for free at the App Store for iOS and Google Play store for Android. More info on the app can be found here.

The FBI has the authority to seize drones that violate these TFRs, and drone operators may face civil penalties or criminal charges. If you are a drone operator, ensure you are aware of these restrictions and comply with them. 

Congress gave the FBI the authority to counter, seize, and investigate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in 2018 with the passage of the Preventing Emerging Threats Act. The Department of Justice has designated Hayward Field and airspace around the facility as a protected venue, allowing for enforcement of “no drone zones” under this act.

In addition to the “no drone zone” operations, the FBI, Eugene Police, University of Oregon Police, and other local, state, and federal partners have been coordinating in order to rapidly share any threat information to the U.S. Olympic Trials or any related activities. There is currently no known threat to any of the scheduled events.

All of the law enforcement partners remind everyone who lives, works, or is visiting the area that if they see something, say something. Working together, we can help keep the events safe for the athletes and the wider community.

Anyone with information about potential threats targeting the U.S. Olympic Trials should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov, or call local authorities.

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FBI Charlotte Highlights Top Ten Red Flag Fraud Signs

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

Scammers never stop; they work around the clock to cash in on the latest scheme hoping to steal your money or your identity. You’ve heard many of their pitches: they pretend to be romantically interested in you, say they are a relative in trouble, or pretend to be collecting money for a charity after a natural disaster. Soon, the cycle of fraud begins. When a warning is issued about their scheme, they adapt and make enough changes to their pitch to convince the victims their claims are real. It’s time to crush their crime sprees. FBI Charlotte is launching a new public awareness message, “Scams change, red flags don’t!” No matter what type of story you hear via email, text, phone, social media, by mail, or in person, scams change, but the below red flags don’t. Here are our top ten red flag fraud signs.

  • Requests payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or virtual currency.
  • Creates a sense of urgency or deadline to pay quickly.
  • Demands secrecy from you.
  • Poor grammar or misspellings.
  • Payments offered in amounts higher than listed price.
  • Email addresses disguised to seem legitimate.
  • Unsolicited emails, texts, etc., requesting you confirm usernames and/or passwords.
  • Requests to move to a new platform to communicate.
  • Requests to access your personal bank account to pay you for a service.
  • Unsolicited emails with links or attachments.

No matter what type of story someone is telling you, as always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. FBI Charlotte created a series of videos to highlight these common red flag fraud signs. They will be published on the FBI YouTube account and on @FBICharlotte’s Twitter account. If you have been victimized by a cyber fraud, you can report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.

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FBI Media Alert: Older New Mexicans Lost More Than $7 Million in Online Frauds and Scams

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

New Mexicans over the age of 60 lost more than $7 million in online frauds and scams last year, according to a special report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

IC3 said 837 of the state’s senior residents lost a total of $7,127,910 in 2020.

More than half of that amount—$3,880,981—was lost due to confidence fraud, most commonly known as romance scams.

COVID-19 restrictions forced more older people to use the Internet to shop and socialize, exposing them to scammers and criminals.

“The FBI and our partners work to investigate scams and crimes against older adults, but the keys are prevention and awareness,” said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque FBI Division. “We urge our older residents as well as their families to educate themselves about online frauds and report any cases to the Internet Crime Complaint Center via ic3.gov.”

If you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, contact the FBI at 505-889-1300 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, ic3.gov.

Why Older Adults are Vulnerable

As a growing part of the U.S. population, older people are an attractive target for fraudsters and scammers.

This demographic tends to have more financial stability, which makes them a target for criminals looking to make a quick profit. Older Americans may be more easily intimidated or lonely, making it harder for them to get help.

In a romance scam, criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites to capitalize on their elderly victims’ desire to find companions.

Learn More and Protect Your Loved Ones

Older people may know to be wary of physical crimes (like always locking their doors). But they may not have the same level of awareness to protect themselves against scams. That’s why families and caregivers should be aware of the risks and let people know how to report suspected crimes.

Visit the FBI elder fraud page to learn about common fraud schemes that target older people as well as practical tips on how to protect yourself or your loved ones from scammers.

FBI Elder Fraud page: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/elder-fraud

The 2020 IC3 Elder Fraud report can be found at: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2020_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf

More information on romance scams: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/romance-scams

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FBI Media Alert: FBI, Albuquerque Police Department Seek Information on ATM Theft

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI and Albuquerque Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in finding the person responsible for the theft of an automated teller machine that occurred on June 3, 2021.

An individual using a stolen forklift removed the ATM located at Nusenda Credit Union, 401 Eubank Boulevard SE, at approximately 1:15 a.m.

The forklift and ATM were found several blocks away in the vicinity of the 9200 block of Trumbull Avenue SE.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at (505) 889-1300, or Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at (505) 843-STOP.

Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.