Rhode Islanders Lost $2M To This Type Of Phone Scam: FBI

Don't fall victim to this phone scam.

By Joseph Hosey, Patch Staff

Aug 24, 2026 5:54 PM EDT

Swindlers are spoofing the main phone number of the FBI's Boston Division in a new scam, the bureau warned.

"The scam starts with a call from someone posing as a representative from a financial institution who informs the victim that their information was used to open an account to purchase illegal firearms," the FBI said in a media release.

"The victim is then transferred to someone claiming to be an FBI special agent 'investigating' the fraud and is encouraged to verify the number, at which point the call inexplicably disconnects," according to the release.

"Shortly after, victims report receiving a return call appearing to be from FBI Boston's main number, 857-386-2000," the release said.  "The scammer then provides a fake name and badge number to further trick the victim into believing they are speaking with an actual FBI agent and may tell the victim to move the conversation to an encrypted messaging application. Victims are further advised that all communications are confidential and should not be shared with anyone."

Such "government impersonation fraud" has ripped off 113 Rhode Islanders to the tune of $2,023,936, according to the FBI.

FBI Boston Division fielded 1,092 government impersonation fraud complaints across its enire jurisdiction, which covers the Ocean State, as well as Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, "with financial losses totaling $28,895,404," the release said.

"Scammers are utilizing fear, urgency, and increasingly sophisticated tactics — including spoofing trusted phone numbers — to push people into acting before they can think it through," Ted E. Docks, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Division, said in the release.

"If you get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be the FBI or any law enforcement agency, stop," Docks advised. "Hang up. Then verify the caller by contacting the organization directly using a number you found yourself. That pause can shut down a scam and keep criminals from turning your panic into their payday."