FBI Jacksonville says scammers are impersonating law-enforcement and government officials through text messages. Victims may be pushed to calls/emails and pressured for money or personal information.

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office is warning that criminals are contacting people by text while impersonating law-enforcement and other government officials. According to the advisory, these messages are designed to look official and may escalate quickly into additional contact—such as phone calls and emails—to increase pressure and credibility. The scam’s goal is typically to obtain money and/or sensitive personal information by exploiting urgency and authority. The FBI notes that many such schemes follow a common playbook: the victim is told they face an immediate consequence or investigation, then is urged to pay or provide details to “resolve” the matter. The advisory emphasizes that law enforcement will not threaten arrest as a pressure tactic and will not demand payment to avoid action. Instead, the FBI encourages people to treat unexpected texts claiming official status with skepticism, avoid replying with personal data, and verify requests through trusted, independently sourced contact information. If you receive a suspicious message, consider reporting it through appropriate channels and documenting the content for investigation.