If you get a call like this, here are a few things to keep in mind: The Department of Homeland Security and CBP does not solicit money over the phone. These calls, whether a pre-recorded message or live person, are phone scams/phishing attempts and residents are urged to not provide the caller with any information. When connected, the scammer then attempts to confirm the target’s banking information. Some scammers are even providing fake case numbers and badge numbers.Ī variation of this call is a pre-recorded message stating that a “shipment of drugs or money with your name on it and has been intercepted.” The target is then instructed to press #1 to speak with a CBP Officer/Agent. When the scammer is asked for a name, he provides an actual CBP employee’s name and phone number available on the internet for the target to verify.

If the target refuses to comply, the scammer threatens that the police will be arriving. Would-be victims are reporting that the scammers are insistent that they must confirm certain details because CBP has intercepted a shipment of drugs with the “target’s” name and address and that cooperation is important to ensure the case is resolved. Customs and Border Protection about a shipment of drugs or money should recognize that it is a scam regardless of how authentic the caller may sound.” To be clear, CBP will not make telephone calls threatening citizens that law enforcement is on the way or promising money for information. “If CBP suspects illegal activity, we will not call a suspect or a victim requesting money or social security numbers. “We are seeing a spike of phone calls from concerned citizens about scammers posing as CBP employees seeking information about suspected illegal activity,” said CBP Houston Director of Field Operations Jud Murdock.

Customs and Border Protection employees are continuing to receive numerous calls from people concerned about unsolicited calls from scammers posing as U.S. HOUSTON – Telephone scammers are targeting residents nationwide to gain personal information that would bypass financial security protocols.

Prank caller id