Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is alerting the public to a widespread fraudulent scheme where scammers impersonate DEA agents, aiming to extort money or steal personal identifiable information.
It is crucial to note that legitimate DEA personnel will never initiate contact with members of the public or medical practitioners to demand money or any form of payment. They will also never request personal or sensitive information through unsolicited communications. Any notifications about a legitimate investigation or legal action will be conveyed in person or through an official letter. Additionally, no credible federal law enforcement officer will demand cash or gift cards from the public. It is strongly advised to only provide money, gift cards or personally identifiable information, including bank account details, to individuals you know and trust.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a DEA agent, report the incident promptly to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) at www.ic3.gov. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers recovery steps, shares information with over 3,000 law enforcement agencies, and accepts reports at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
For victims who have disclosed personally identifiable information, such as a social security number, to the caller, it is recommended to take steps to protect against identity theft. Valuable resources and guidance on safeguarding against identity theft can be found at www.identitytheft.gov. Stay vigilant, be cautious and promptly report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.