Scammers Posing As Banks & FBI Targeting Princeton Residents, Police Say

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Police Department is warning residents of an increase in sophisticated scam attempts in which callers impersonate bank representatives, government agencies, and law enforcement officials, authorities said.

The warning follows two recent incidents in Princeton in which residents lost a combined $22,000 to scammers posing as financial and federal authorities, according to the Princeton Police blotter.

On April 11, officers responded to a home on Linden Lane for a report of fraud. A woman reported receiving fraudulent text messages and emails posing as Bank of America, advising of suspicious activity on her debit card. The woman was then convinced to provide her debit card and PIN to a purported courier.

An unknown male operating a silver sedan responded to the home and retrieved the card, and an unauthorized withdrawal of $2,000 was later made from the woman's account at a location in Jersey City.

On April 15, a man reported that he was contacted by unknown actors posing as bank fraud investigators and was advised that his account had been compromised. The man was instructed to withdraw $20,000 in cash and provide it to an individual posing as a federal agent in order to secure the funds. At approximately 3:50 p.m., the man met with the suspect in the area of Nassau St., where he provided the cash.

Both incidents remain under investigation with no suspects identified.

Police said the scams can be difficult to detect. Callers may appear legitimate, use real phone numbers, and provide convincing details to gain trust. In some cases, victims are instructed to withdraw money, transfer funds, or provide personal information under the belief they are protecting their accounts, police said.

Scammers may also transfer victims to another fake official during the call, provide case numbers or documents to appear credible, instruct victims to stay on the phone and act quickly, or arrange in-person cash pickups, according to police.

Authorities emphasized that no legitimate law enforcement agency or bank will ask anyone to withdraw cash or hand it over for safekeeping. Residents are urged not to provide personal, banking, or identifying information to unsolicited callers, and to be cautious of pressure tactics or urgency.

"If something feels off, it probably is," police said in the statement. "When in doubt, hang up and contact us directly."

Residents can contact the Princeton Police Department to verify any suspicious activity.

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