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Cybersecurity experts warn that scammers are using fear and urgency to trick people into handing over money and personal information

• Scammers are increasingly posing as FBI agents, using fear and urgency to pressure people into sending money or sharing sensitive information

• Losses from government impersonation have surged, with reports doubling year over year and costing victims hundreds of millions of dollars

• Red flags include unsolicited contact, urgent legal threats, demands for payment, and requests for secrecy and real law enforcement will never ask for money this way

Getting a call from the FBI would rattle just about anyone and scammers are counting on that reaction.

A growing number of fraudsters are posing as federal agents, reaching out by phone, email, or text with alarming claims that pressure people to act fast. Whether its a supposed criminal investigation or a warning about financial trouble, the goal is the same: create panic and push victims into making quick decisions they might not otherwise make.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Silviu Stahie, a security analyst at Bitdefender, who explained that these are becoming more convincing by the day.

Increase in FBI impersonation

Stahie explained that the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Centerreportedreceiving more than 1 million complaints in 2025, and government impersonationalone accounted for over 32,000 complaints andnearly $800 millionin losses.

If we look at 2024, with $400 million in losses from this type ofscam, we can easily see a 100% increase, Stahie said. Unfortunately, thisshowsthatthescamworks, and wecanexpectan increase in the coming years as attacks become more sophisticated.

Scammers are gathering data

For these types of , criminals rarely use a singleinformation source.

They gather data from data breaches, publicly available social media profiles, scraped profiles, and recycled information frompreviousthat worked, Stahie explained. In fact, once someone becomes a victim, theres a good chance that attackers will try again at a later date.

Peopledontrealize just how much personal information about themselves is out there. And, for the most part, thatinformation is shared voluntarily on social media, forums, and many other channels. Even iftheyvebeen careful not to share anything about their private life, the online services people use daily can get compromised.

Know what to look for

Stahie said that despite the increase in sophistication, thesefollow the same pattern. Here are some red flags to look for:

• These usually begin with unsolicited contact and quickly escalate into a situation involving urgency or legal threats.

• Criminals will say that the victims are part of an investigation, have missed a legal obligation, or need to act urgently to avoid consequences.

• The urgency is the first pivot in theattack, ascyber criminalsneed the victims to believe they must act NOW.

• The financial request itself is another big red flag. Any demand for money,especially forwire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, should raise suspicionimmediately.

• Another thing to look for: the pressure for secrecy, asattackersoften warn victims that they cant contact anyone else.

The clearest rule we can follow is simple: no law enforcement agency will ever ask for money or sensitive financial information over the phone or via unsolicited messages, Stahie said.

Healthy skepticism can help

With much of our lives existing digitally, Stahie says that healthy skepticism can be one of the best ways to protect ourselves.

Healthy skepticism is the first line of defense, Stahie said. Any unexpected communication that involves urgency, authority, or financial requests should be treated with the same measure. Close any communication,verify the claims independentlyandcontactlaw enforcement.

Reducing your digital footprint is also vital. The less publicly available personal information, the harder it becomes for scammers to build convincing narratives. On the technical side, tools that filter or block suspicious calls can significantly reduce exposure to these attacks.Freeonlinetools such asReverse Phone Number Lookupscansecurity databases to verify callers anddetermineif a call is safe, spam, or a potentialscam.

How a simple distraction at the pump can cost you

• Scammers distract drivers at the pump to keep transactions open, then offer the next customera cash discount, while the chargegoesto your card.

• The scam is easy to miss because it happens quickly, often when youre in a rush, and victims typically dont spot the extra charges until days later.

• Protect yourself by ending the transaction, returning the nozzle yourself, grabbing a receipt, and avoiding anyone who insists on helping at the pump.

Theres a growing scam happening at gas stations right now that can easily catch drivers off guardespecially those in a hurry to get back on the road.

Its called a pump-switching scam, and it works because its quick, subtle, and easy to miss in the moment.

Heres how it typically plays out

While youre pumping gas, a stranger approaches and offers to help, they may even look like they work for the station.

It might come off like a friendly gesture, but the goal is to get control of the nozzle, and more importantly, keep your transaction open without you noticing.

Whether you accept the help or not, the scammer may try to grab the nozzle or distract you just long enough to interfere. If the pump isnt properly reset when you leave, your card stays active.

From there, the scammer moves to the next driver, offering to fill their tank for a sizable cash discount. While that person thinks theyre getting a deal, the charges are actually going to your card.

Theyll keep going until the pump shuts off or your card hits its limit.

Why so many people miss it

What makes this scam effective is the timing of it all.

Most people are in a rush when they stop for gas. Youre thinking about getting back on the road and not double-checking whether the transaction is fully closed out.

Victims often dont notice anything is wrong until they review their statement days later. By then, the damage is done, and the scammer is long gone.

In some reported cases, a routine $25$30 fill-up has turned into charges of $150 or more.

Police also warn that scammers can be aggressive, especially if confronted. That adds another layer of pressure to unsuspecting drivers, making it easier for them to pull off.

Why its getting worse right now

This type of scam tends to spike when gas prices go up.

When fuel is more expensive, every gallon charged to your card adds up faster. That means scammers can rack up higher totals in less time, making the scheme more profitable.

Law enforcement has also noted that these incidents arent limited to one region. Theyve been reported across multiple states over the years, especially during periods of rising prices.

Smart ways to protect yourself

The good news is that this scam is easy to avoid if you know what to look for.

Here are a few simple steps that can make a big difference:

• Always return the nozzle yourself and make sure its securely placed back in the pump.
• Double-check that the transaction has ended before you leave.
• Grab the receipt, even if you dont plan to keep it. It simply confirms that the transaction is closed.
• Use mobile payment options when possible. This can add an extra layer of security.
• If someone approaches you and wont take no for an answer, dont engage. Instead, get back in your car, lock the doors, and move on to the next station if you havent started pumping yet.

What to do if it happens to you

If you notice any suspicious charges on your statement, be sure to act quickly.

Contact your bank or credit card company right away. In many cases, fraudulent charges can be reversed if you report them promptly.

The sooner you flag it, the better your chances of limiting the damage.

The agency claims the companies posed as government employees

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• FTC obtained a temporary restraining order to halt an alleged student loan debt relief scam.

• Operators allegedly impersonated the U.S. Department of Education and collected up to $8.8 million in illegal fees.

• Consumers were charged upfront monthly fees as high as $1,400 for services that did not exist.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has moved to stop what it describes as a widespread student loan debt relief scheme that targeted financially-burdened borrowers with false promises of loan forgiveness.

The agency said it secured a temporary restraining order against companies NERD Solutions Inc. and ED REF Inc., along with their operators, over allegations they misled consumers and collected millions in illegal fees.

According to the FTC, the defendants posed as affiliates of the U.S. Department of Education or legitimate loan servicers, using deceptive telemarketing tactics to reach consumers including thousands listed on the National Do Not Call Registry.

The agency alleges that, beginning in at least February 2022, the operation lured borrowers with claims that they could secure student loan forgiveness or significantly reduce debt. Victims were then charged upfront monthly fees that sometimes reached $1,400, despite federal rules generally prohibiting such advance payments for debt relief services.

Allegedly collected $8.8 million

In total, the scheme is accused of collecting at least $8.8 million from consumers already struggling with student loan obligations.

The FTCs complaint charges the defendants with violating multiple laws, including the FTC Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Impersonation Rule, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

A federal court in the Central District of California granted the temporary restraining order on April 13, 2026, effectively halting the operation while the case proceeds.

The FTC noted that its actions are part of ongoing efforts to combat targeting student loan borrowers. The agency also reiterated that it does not demand upfront payments or promise loan forgiveness, urging consumers to be wary of similar claims and report suspected fraud.

The case remains pending, and the allegations have not yet been proven in court.

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