FBI warns Florida residents of fake government calls and texts

FLORIDA, (WINK)—The FBI has issued an updated warning about an ongoing scam involving impostors posing as government officials. 

The alert comes from the FBI's Internet Crime Center, which highlighted how criminals are using advanced techniques to deceive individuals into revealing personal or financial information.

The fraudulent activity, known as "smishing" or "vishing," involves receiving a call or text from someone claiming to be a government official. These impostors often use artificial intelligence to enhance their deception skills.

Criminals will engage individuals on topics they are passionate about, offer unusual compliments, or propose meetings with senior officials to gain trust. They then attempt to move the conversation to another platform where they can extract information to commit identity theft.

To protect yourself, the FBI suggests several precautions. Verify the caller by looking up their number and calling them back. 

Scrutinize email addresses for typos and observe videos for signs of AI manipulation. Most importantly, avoid clicking on links from unknown sources.

If you find yourself in a suspicious situation, contact the FBI or local law enforcement for assistance. 

If something feels off, it's best to hang up immediately.

To view the PSA provided by the FBI, click here.