New Phishing Scam
Be aware of a new type of Phishing scam being executed in various parts of the U.S. known as Strong Armed Phishing.
The target business gets a phone call from someone claiming to be a member of law enforcement, either local or FBI, and lays out a story of being involved in a fraud investigation. Later in the conversation, the scammer asks for all credit card information to aid in the investigation.
If the employee on the phone doesn’t give up the information, the scammer resorts to strong arm tactics by threatening to execute a search warrant on the business if the employee does not cooperate.
Law enforcement is advising business to never give out confidential financial data over the telephone even if the caller claims to be from law enforcement. Law enforcement will not seek this type of data over the phone.
You can tell the caller if they would come into the business you can discuss the investigation and how your business is involved in person. But, before giving out any sensitive financial customer data, be sure the recipient of that data is authorized to hear it, see it, and receive it.
If you are contacted in this manner, please take note of the phone number of the caller and notify the local authorities.