The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is cautioning residents about a growing number of scams in which criminals pose as fraud investigators from reputable organizations, including the FDIC and well-known financial institutions.
In these schemes, scammers reach out by phone or text, claiming a victim’s bank account has been compromised. They then instruct victims to transfer money to a different account for “protection” or to assist with what they describe as an active investigation. In some cases, the suspects use convincing personal details and fabricated documents to make the scam appear legitimate.
Authorities urge residents to be aware of common warning signs, such as unexpected calls or messages from someone claiming to represent a bank or government agency, requests to move money into a new or business account, pressure to act immediately or keep the matter confidential, directions to download unfamiliar apps, or instructions to use a phone while at an ATM. Victims may also be told to transfer funds after receiving a fraudulent deposit.
The Sheriff’s Department stresses that legitimate banks and government agencies will never ask customers to transfer money to safeguard their accounts or to take part in a secret investigation. Anyone who receives a suspicious call or message should hang up and contact their bank directly using a verified phone number. Residents are encouraged to share this information with family and friends and remain alert to potential scams.