OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528 / www.oig.dhs.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Information Contact:
August 29, 2022 [email protected]
FRAUD ALERT:
Department of Homeland Security Impersonation Schemes
This U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Public Service Announcement highlights how scammers impersonating DHS personnel
defraud the public and how to avoid becoming another victim.
Background
Each year, DHS OIG receives hundreds of reports of individuals impersonating DHS
employees to defraud the public. Impersonators can spoof actual DHS phone numbers and
create email addresses that resemble DHS email addresses in their attempts appear
legitimate. Some will even email or text pictures of real and doctored law enforcement
credentials. These impersonators will try to convince targets to provide personally
identifiable information, passwords, credit card or bank numbers, or payment via money
transfer services or prepaid debit cards.
Recent Trends
Many reports to DHS OIG are related to the targeting of immigrants, minority groups or
people with foreign ties. The most common ruses are:
Violations of immigration or customs laws,
Lost or duplicate passports used abroad to commit crimes,
Unspecified “Green Cards matters,”
Packages detained at the border containing drugs or other illegal materials, and
Problems with the victim’s immigration forms.
Imposters may threaten with arrest, cancellation of visas, or deportation if they do not
comply.
Protect Yourself
1. Be suspicious of telephone calls or emails claiming to be from DHS as scammers
can fake caller ID information and email addresses. All legitimate government
emails will come from an email address ending in .gov.
2. Scammers often use incorrect nomenclature to identify themselves, such as “DHS
agent,” “DHS private investigator” or “Detective with DHS.” They may misuse
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Department of Homeland Security
acronyms or government agencies’ names such as “Department of Customs and
Border Security,” or “US Immigration Agency.”
3. DHS never use the contact numbers listed on its website to make outgoing calls of
this nature. Individuals receiving phone calls from these numbers should not
provide any personal information.
4. Do not send money or gift cards to persons claiming to be from DHS. DHS
employees will never ask you to pay a fine over the phone, and will never accept
payment for fees through Google Play, Apple, gift cards, or money transfer services
such as Zelle or Venmo.
Reporting Fraud
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim is urged to call the DHS OIG Hotline
(1-800-323-8603) or file a complaint online via the DHS OIG website www.oig.dhs.gov.
Internet crime victims can file a complaint at www.ic3.gov and with the Federal Trade
Commission.
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