Scammers targeting older people, claiming they are Department of Justice employees

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice is saying they’re not calling older people. Instead, scammers are impersonating DOJ employees trying to get information.

The Office of Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has been getting reports through the National Elder Fraud Hotline that people are calling the older citizens claiming that they are phoning from the DOJ. Either they speak directly with the person called, or leave a voicemail that appears to be from the DOJ. The message has a phone number that goes to a recorded message identical to the official DOJ message. Eventually, through an automated menu, the person gets an operator who directs the call to someone who is pretending to be an investigator, DOJ officials said.

The fake investigator then attempts to get private information from the person.

If you get a call similar to this one, you’re directed to call 877-FTC-Help or click here.

You can also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 or click here.

Cox Media Group