FRAUD ALERT: Department of Homeland Security Impersonation Schemes

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC 20528 | www.oig.dhs.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Information Contact:

May 20, 2024 DHS-OIG.OfficePublicAffa[email protected]hs.gov

FRAUD ALERT:

Department of Homeland Security Impersonation Schemes

This U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Public

Service Announcement highlights how scammers impersonate DHS personnel to defraud the

public and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Background

Each year, DHS OIG receives hundreds of reports of scammers impersonating DHS employees to

defraud the public. Impersonators spoof actual DHS phone numbers and create email addresses

that resemble DHS emails to appear legitimate. Some even send pictures of real or doctored law

enforcement credentials. Impersonators try to convince victims to provide personally

identifying information, passwords, credit card or bank numbers, or make payments using

money transfer services or unconventional methods.

Recent Trends

Scammers often target immigrants, elderly adults, and minority groups or persons with foreign

ties. The most common ruses include claims of:

• Violations of immigration or customs laws.

• Offers to expedite immigration paperwork or resolve issues with immigration forms.

• Seized packages containing drugs or other illegal items.

• Identity theft requiring a new social security number.

• Active warrants for money laundering, terrorist financing, or other serious crimes.

• Threatening arrest, visa cancellation, or deportation.

• Warning against telling anyone about the call(s).

Ways to Protect Yourself

1. Be suspicious of calls or emails claiming to be from DHS. Scammers can fake caller ID

information and email addresses. DHS will never use the main contact numbers listed on

dhs.gov to make calls of this nature. If you receive calls from these numbers, do not

provide any personal information.

Office of Inspector General

U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Washington, DC 20528 | www.oig.dhs.gov

2. Legitimate government email addresses end in

.gov

. In rare instances, impostors

impersonate a

.gov

email.

3. Imposters may send images or videos of a DHS or law enforcement uniform or wear a

uniform on video calls. Many provide victims with fictitious case and/or badge numbers

or images of badges. You should not believe a caller just because they appear in uniform

or provide this information and may consider asking to meet at a police station.

4. Scammers often use incorrect language such as "DHS agent," "DHS private investigator"

or "detective with DHS." They may misuse agency names such as "Department of

Customs and Border Security," or "U.S. Immigration Agency.” Be suspicious of any caller

who does this.

5. Your call may be transferred to another scammer impersonating a more senior

government official or allege multiple agencies are investigating you. This can include

attorneys, local law enforcement, DHS, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Marshals

Service, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and U.S. Department of the Treasury. This does

not make the call authentic in any way.

6. Scammers often have personal information when they call. This may include residence(s)

or family addresses, family member names, social security numbers, date of birth, etc.

Scammers can obtain or purchase this information online (for example, following

company data breaches). Knowing details about you does not make any call legitimate.

7. Some scammers claim you need a new social security number. The government rarely

issues new social security numbers without your request.

8. Do not send money to anyone claiming to be DHS. DHS employees will not ask you to pay

a fine over the phone.

9. Scammers may ask for payment in unconventional forms, including gift cards, prepaid

debit cards (Green Dot, Visa, Mastercard), Google/Apple pay, money transfer services

(Zelle, Venmo, CashApp), cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), gold bars,

and cash. If you are ever

asked to place money in a vehicle, contact local law enforcement immediately.

Reporting Fraud

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this scam is urged to call the DHS OIG

Hotline (1-800-323-8603) or file a complaint online via the DHS OIG website at

https://www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline. Internet crime victims can file a complaint with the FBI at

www.ic3.gov and with the Federal Trade Commission.

Microsoft has published helpful information about identifying email phishing scams here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-

us/windows/protect-yourself-from-phishing-0c7ea947-ba98-3bd9-7184-430e1f860a44

See Social Security Administration notification, dated October 7, 2022: https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02220

See FBI IC3 Alert Number I-012924-PSA dated January 29, 2024: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2024/PSA240129