The FBI Albany office says it has seen rising calls that spoof the FBI Albany main phone number as part of a government impersonation and financial institution scam. Victims are told their data was used to buy a firearm and are pushed to “fact check,” with fraudsters potentially moving the conversation to encrypted messaging.

The FBI’s Albany Field Office reports an increase in scam calls that spoof the FBI Albany main phone number. According to the warning, callers impersonate the FBI and escalate the interaction in a staged “government” storyline, including claiming the victim’s personal data was used to purchase a firearm. The scam is designed to pressure victims into acting quickly and believing they are already under scrutiny. After the initial allegation, fraudsters may instruct victims to “fact check” the claim, a tactic that can lead to further manipulation and data harvesting. The FBI also notes that scammers may shift the conversation to encrypted messaging platforms, which can help them evade detection while continuing to direct the victim through the fraud. The FBI emphasizes that private citizens should not expect the agency to demand payment or threaten arrest in this manner. The core pattern described—spoofed official phone numbers, fabricated emergency or criminal-enforcement claims, and escalation to messaging designed for concealment—matches the mechanics of many government-impersonation frauds aimed at stealing money and personally identifiable information.