Is this FBI agent real or am I being scammed

Criminal Law Topics
1

So I got a call from someone claiming to be an FBI agent named Frank Rossi (SA-29054). He said he’s from the New York office and working with Publishers Clearing House (PCH). He says I’ve won money, but I need to pay $7,000 first for taxes. Sounds weird… anyone know if this could be real?

2

Oof, sounds fishy to me. FBI asking for money upfront? IDK, but that doesn’t sound right. Anyone else?

3

Taylor said:
Oof, sounds fishy to me. FBI asking for money upfront? IDK, but that doesn’t sound right. Anyone else?

Yeah, definitely sketchy. I think FBI agents don’t call and ask for payments like that. They’d reach out in other ways.

4

Taylor said:
Oof, sounds fishy to me. FBI asking for money upfront? IDK, but that doesn’t sound right. Anyone else?

Thanks, that’s what I thought. Just seemed odd they’d be asking me to pay before even getting anything.

5

I’ve seen this before. Real agencies like the FBI don’t contact you about winnings. And PCH doesn’t call—they notify you in person or with legit letters.

6

Zander said:
I’ve seen this before. Real agencies like the FBI don’t contact you about winnings. And PCH doesn’t call—they notify you in person or with legit letters.

Good to know. I did get a voicemail from ‘Steve Harvey’ with PCH, but I thought maybe it was just a generic message.

7

Zander said:
I’ve seen this before. Real agencies like the FBI don’t contact you about winnings. And PCH doesn’t call—they notify you in person or with legit letters.

Yep, probably just another tactic. I’d ignore it.

8

FYI, any real tax amount would be taken off before you get the prize. No legit company will ask for $ upfront.

9

Shaye said:
FYI, any real tax amount would be taken off before you get the prize. No legit company will ask for $ upfront.

Got it, that makes sense. Kinda relieved to know this doesn’t seem real.

10

Shaye said:
FYI, any real tax amount would be taken off before you get the prize. No legit company will ask for $ upfront.

Also, most scammers throw around official-sounding names. The FBI isn’t gonna work with PCH lol.

11

If they really were from PCH, they wouldn’t ask for money! Taxes are usually taken out beforehand. The ‘FBI’ part is a total red flag.

12

Griffin said:
If they really were from PCH, they wouldn’t ask for money! Taxes are usually taken out beforehand. The ‘FBI’ part is a total red flag.

Yeah, I thought it was weird too. Thanks for confirming .

13

This sounds like a classic scam. I’d ignore that call completely and maybe even block the number.

14

AttorneyKay said:
This sounds like a classic scam. I’d ignore that call completely and maybe even block the number.

Good idea, I’ll do that. Thanks .

15

AttorneyKay said:
This sounds like a classic scam. I’d ignore that call completely and maybe even block the number.

Definitely block it. These scammers are getting creative .