Watch the Digital Desk conversation with FBI Special Agent Shanon Newcomb.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Have you or someone you know fallen victim to a scam? Even the most knowledgeable consumers can encounter scammers on the phone, web or email.
FBI Special Agent Shanon Newcomb joined Digital Host Sarah Goode at the Digital Desk to discuss fraud, the impact on Virginians and how to stay safe. Watch the conversation in the video player on this page.
As a special agent for over 16 years, Newcomb has investigated numerous federal criminal violations, which include allegations of wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
More than $10 billion lost in 2024 from fraud
In 2024, there were 2.6 million reports of fraud, according to Federal Trade Commission data. And, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion due to fraud. This is up 14% from 2022 reports. Take a look at the 2023 data at the link here.
What was the top fraud last year? Imposters.
And, it’s not just individuals losing from imposters, but businesses as well. Business losses to imposters was $752 million.
The scams are ongoing. Just this week, the Federal Trade Commission is warning of scammers pretending to be their own agency staff in a press release. Consumers reported scammers are using the real names of staff, trying to convince them to move, transfer, send or wire money.
How are people experiencing fraud? People can be contacted in a variety of ways, from calls to text messages to emails.
“Fraud is fraud,” Newcomb said. “It can delivered in a lot of different methodologies.”,
Fraud in Virginia
The FBI recently released the 2023 Internet Crime Report.
In Virginia, the top type of fraud is investment fraud, followed by cryptocurrency, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Investment fraud was over $97 million. Cryptocurrency was at $85 million. Other frauds that cost Virginians millions in dollars included romance scams, government impersonation, credit card/ check fraud and business email compromise.
Don’t click the link
Have you ever received a text message about your streaming service being compromised? It might ask the user to click a link. Newcomb says think twice. Do not click the link, that is unsolicited contact.
It’s the same case with an email. Newcomb says look closely.
Where is the email coming from?
“Sometimes the clue is right in the person sending an email,” Newcomb said. “It looks kinda like the email that you should be getting from the company, but it’s not quite there”.
Look for a letter out of place. Notice the email account, is it from a personal Gmail account or a company email?
Stop what you are doing and take a step back to analyze the situation.
“being rude is okay”
Another tip, Newcomb said don’t be polite on the phone.
“It’s okay not to be polite,” Newcomb said. “Sometimes people are trying to steal your money when they call you unsolicited and being rude is okay”.
He offers the community common examples. You might receive an unsolicited phone call where someone is trying to sell you something, saying you’ve been victimized, or impersonating a government officials or law enforcement agent.
Calls can play at your emotions, especially ones focused on the safety of loved ones.
A grandparent may get a call from someone posing as law enforcement about a grandchild needing money for bond. In those moments, Newcomb says anxiety can rise and reasoning can go down.
“No one in law enforcement is going to ask you for money, specifically to go to any store and buy gift cards and give them the gift cards over the phone,” Newcomb said.
Hang up the phone
He recommends taking a moment of pause to really think about what is going on.
With phones, Newcomb recommends hanging up if you are questioning the call.
“Hang up, phones drop calls all the time, batteries die all the time,” Newcomb said. “If they’re trying to push you into situations and all of a sudden you feel internally your anxiety is up, hang up.”
In the example of the grandchild, Newcomb says hang up, then call the grandchild or parent and figure out what is happening.
“moment of pause”
It is called the moment of pause.
“Moment of pause, get some distance,” Newcomb said.
Newcomb recommends taking the moment of pause. It is an opportunity, especially in times of high stress, to move away from the situation and think if it makes sense.
“Fraudsters are preying on your inability to reason,” Newcomb said.
Watch out for phone numbers
“You can spoof numbers,” Newcomb said.
Be aware, fraudsters can fake outgoing numbers. It may look like the numbers on the line match the company they are calling from.
“The fraudster makes a call to you, they can spoof that number to make it look like you’re actually getting a phone call,” Newcomb said.
If you called it back, in this situation, you would actually get the real law enforcement agency.
Newcomb says do the homework.
Hang up the phone, break contact and get distance. Google the number. Do not wait for the fraudster to call back, but call the agency back directly.
Do you homework
With investment fraud being the leading cause of fraud in Virginia, Newcomb shared tips to keep you safe.
Newcomb says be skeptical. Do your homework and ask questions, such as:
- Is the person certified?
- Are they with a brokerage?
- What are they promising?
- Do you have to signup right away on the call?
He encourages people to question and verify.
Be a difficult target
“Fraudsters are opportunistic,” Newcomb said.
If there is a tool they can use, from spoofing numbers to changing voices, they will utilize it.
“If it’s out there and it’s accessible there’s a good chance it’s going to get used,” Newcomb said.
And, it’s not if but when. Fraudsters will contact you.
“You can’t avoid it,” Newcomb said. “It’s making yourself a harder target.”
Remember these four words, distance, pause, breath, think.
- Getting distance from the fraudster
- Taking a pause
- Breathing it out and reducing stress
- Taking time to think if this is legitimate
Additional resources
The FBI has tips to keep the community safe from scams. Visit www.fbi.gov to view resources for scams and safety.
Here are more resources, below.
To report consumer fraud here are steps you can take, according to the FBI.
- Contact the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov.
- File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Reach out to your local FBI field office. Find the closest office at the link here.
- Report internet-enabled fraud schemes to ic3.gov.
Find more tips in the full Digital Desk conversation in the video player on this page.
