BOSTON — The U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Massachusetts issued a public warning today about a growing telephone scam where fraudsters claim to be working with or for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Marshals.
The scam involves callers using a script filled with personal details about their targets, such as property owned, addresses, and family information, which they obtain from online public records.
Posing as law enforcement, the scammers inform victims that CBP intercepted a package at the Texas border containing drugs or weapons along with a driver’s license in the victim’s name.
They engage in conversation to build trust and then ask for sensitive banking information.
In a more deceptive twist, a secondary call is often made to the victim that appears to come from the Boston U.S.
Marshals office’s main line, (617) 748-2500.
This technique, known as “spoofing,” uses software to make the victim’s caller ID display a legitimate phone number, including those of federal agencies.
The callers have gone so far as to claim they are U.S. Marshal Brian Kyes of the District of Massachusetts, demanding confidential information.
Officials stress that such calls are fraudulent and aim to steal personal identifiable information and sensitive financial data.
The U.S. Marshals Service does not call individuals to collect fines or fees over the phone for outstanding warrants or any other matters.
