FBI warns South Carolina residents of phone scams

The FBI is alerting South Carolina residents about a recent spike in government impersonation scams involving callers who falsely claim to represent federal law enforcement and use spoofed FBI phone numbers, including the official line for the FBI’s Columbia Field Office.

In the latest scheme, scammers impersonate government officials and use caller ID spoofing technology to display a legitimate FBI number, giving the illusion of authenticity. Victims are typically told they have missed jury duty or are facing arrest due to a warrant, and are warned to expect a follow-up call from an FBI agent.

During the second call, the impersonator instructs the victim to withdraw large amounts of cash and convert the money into cryptocurrency at a local kiosk—claiming it is the only way to avoid arrest or steep fines. Some victims have also reported receiving fraudulent documents via text message that feature fake government seals and letterhead to further legitimize the scam.

Several South Carolina residents have already lost thousands of dollars in these schemes, according to the FBI. While impersonation fraud is not new, law enforcement officials say this latest version is particularly deceptive due to the use of spoofed phone numbers and official-sounding threats.

Authorities emphasize that the FBI will never ask for or accept payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or cash deposits at kiosks. In addition, agents will not call individuals to threaten arrest or demand payment to avoid legal action.

The FBI urges the public to take the following steps to avoid falling victim:
• Do not provide personal or financial information to unknown callers.
• If a caller claims to be from the FBI and makes threats or demands, hang up immediately.
• Independently verify the phone number of your nearest FBI field office and contact it directly if in doubt.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted or defrauded is encouraged to report the incident by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
For more information about common scams and how to protect yourself, visit fbi.gov/scams.