The FBI Omaha Division is warning college students in Nebraska and Iowa of a phone scam that spoofs the FBI's number.
According to a release, FBI offices in at least eight states have received multiple calls reporting a scam involving someone claiming to be an FBI agent and demanding repayment for student loans and tuition.
The FBI says that these scammers often know the name of the person they are calling and will sometimes threaten victims with arrest or tell victims they will not graduate if the money is not repaid. The FBI does not request money from private citizens.
To protect against fraud the FBI advices the following:
- Never give out personal information to someone you did not initiate contact with.
- Before signing up for a contest or e-mail distribution list, make sure the business has a policy not to share your information or sell it to a third party.
- Be leery of anyone you did not initiate contact with who asks for payment using a third party such as MoneyGram or GreenDot prepaid cards.
- Scammers count on your lack of knowledge, so take the time to educate yourself about any offer you receive.
