Pretends to protect your money
Move your money to be safe scam
Is a call telling me to move my money or buy gold to protect it from criminals a scam?
Yes. Banks and agencies never tell you to move money, withdraw cash, buy gold or hand it to a courier. Stop, talk to family, and call your bank on the number on your card.
Real organizations never do this. Stop. Hang up or delete it.
Also searched as: bank fraud department, safe account, protect your money, move your savings, buy gold bars, courier picks up cash, Federal Reserve agent, FTC agent, gold bar, gold bars
Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Phone call
- In person
2 They pretend to be
- Police or government
- Your bank
- Tech support
3 They ask for
- Wire or Zelle
- Crypto
- Cash or gold by courier
- Secrecy
- Control of your computer
- Money
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Pretends to protect your money. What gives it away:
- A courier picks up cash
- Pay with crypto
- Keep it a secret
What they may say
“investigate ‘internal theft”
“meet with an “FBI agent”
“money withdrawn from the institution is needed to investigate theft within that institution”
“protect your money”
“tell the deputy nothing and call back once he was gone”
“their bank accounts had been compromised and they needed to withdraw all their cash and give it to fake “federal agents” for safekeeping”
“They're planning to take $35,000 out of your account, so you need to get the money out now”
“Your bank account is about to be scammed”
“your name and Social Security number are linked to crimes”
Warning signs
- They send someone to your home to pick up cash or gold. Real agencies and banks do not collect money that way.
- They want payment in cryptocurrency, or tell you to use a Bitcoin machine. That money is very hard to get back.
- They tell you not to tell your family or your bank. That keeps you from getting help.
- They ask you to install an app so they can see or control your computer or phone.
- They push you to send a wire transfer or Zelle payment. That money is very hard to get back.
- They say you must pay right now or something bad will happen. Real organizations give you time to check.
Why we say this
Pakistani national sentenced to 14 years in prison for scheme to defraud elderly victim
Scammers told an older person their identity was stolen and posed as Federal Trade Commission agents. They got the victim to buy crypto and gold "to protect" their money. A courier then picked up the gold and cash. The victim lost about $887,000.
He and his co-conspirators devised a scheme in which they led a victim to believe that their identity had been stolen and used for fraudulent purposes.
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In doing so, Ashiq and his co-conspirators posed as federal agents with the Federal Trade Commission and convinced the victim to purchase cryptocurrency and gold to protect their assets. After the assets were purchased, Ashiq would take the assets to his co-conspirators leaving the victim empty handed.
As described in court documents and testimony, from July to August 2024, Ashiq acted as a courier for the conspiracy, in which he picked up gold bars and cash from the victim and delivered it to co-conspirators.
Fourth Defendant Convicted in Indian Call Center Elder Fraud Scheme
A jury convicted a man who helped move money for call center scammers based in India. The scammers took cash and gold from older people across the U.S. Couriers collected it and sent it to Los Angeles and New York. It was then sent overseas. Over $150 million was linked to this man.
In his role, Thakkar served as a U.S.-based coordinator for the receipt and laundering of fraud proceeds in the form of cash and gold obtained from elderly victims across the country. The fraud proceeds were obtained by call center scammers based in India.
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The funds were shipped to Los Angeles and New York before being laundered overseas.
Thakkar was directly connected to over $150 million in fraud proceeds scammed from elderly victims across the United States.
Be Wary of Pressure to Transfer Funds From Your Brokerage Account
Scammers call or email older investors and pretend to be the bank, police, or a government agency. They invent an emergency and tell the person to move money out of their brokerage account. The money ends up with the scammers. They also tell victims to keep it secret and what to say to the bank.
Have you been asked to move money out of an investment account by someone you don’t know? Is someone telling you what to say to your financial institutions?
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They might claim to be employees of your financial institution or officials from a police department or a government agency like the FBI, the Social Security Administration or the Federal Trade Commission.
Scammers also might tell you to purchase crypto assets, gold or other precious metals or to wire funds to another external, third-party account.
They’ll often tell you to keep the underlying situation a secret.
Never download software at the request of an unsolicited caller.
If you’re contacted by someone pressuring you to move your money, immediately stop all communication. Talk to a trusted family member or friend before taking any action.
Call the phone number on your account statement, go to the firm’s official website, or visit your firm’s local office in person to verify the request.
Fraud Wars Video: A Fake Fraud Alert Leads to Theft
This feature explains why older adults can be more vulnerable to scams and shares several real cases. Its lead story is a retiree who was told by a fake bank caller to withdraw cash to protect it from 'thieves.'
A criminal pretending to be from Marcia Hubelbank's bank told her he needed to protect her money. He stole it instead.
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Criminals told Marcia Hubelbank they were from her bank and needed to protect her money; they stole it instead
Chinese National Pleads Guilty in $65 Million Multinational Fraud and Money Laundering Ring Targeting Seniors
Callers posing as tech support agents, government officials, or bank employees persuaded older victims to withdraw cash, hide it in packages, and send it to fake names at short-term rental addresses. The article describes a $65 million fraud ring tied to this method and gives warning signs and steps families can take.
Fraudsters who took the calls posed as technical support agents, government officials, or bank employees, according to court records.
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Once a victim had been defrauded, victims were instructed to withdraw bulk cash, to conceal the cash in packages, and to send cash-laden packages via express mail carriers to names and addresses provided by the conspirators.
The recipient names were fictitious names corresponding with fake IDs. The recipient addresses were for the short-term rental locations.
Florida Man Admits Running Nationwide Bank Impersonation Scheme
The Odessa Police Department warned residents about phone calls from people claiming to be their bank and pressuring them to withdraw large amounts of cash. The scammers then arrange for a cash courier or rideshare driver to collect the money, which they say will be kept safe.
called victims and falsely claimed to be investigating fraud at the victims’ banks.
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He convinced victims to withdraw cash and deliver it to purported bank employees—which were just rideshare service drivers that Guerra sent to retrieve cash from victims and to deliver back to him.
Two Men Plead Guilty in $1.49 Million Scam Involving Bulk Gold Purchases
A San Diego precious metals dealer lost use of its bank account after two customers were tricked into buying gold bars for a fake government safekeeping story. The article describes how the scam works and warns that any stranger who tells you to buy gold to protect your money is likely a scammer.
Once the scammers discovered the victim had substantial savings, they convinced her she could safeguard her funds by obtaining gold bars and sending them to the U.S. treasury, which would create a locker under her name.
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The victim was then directed to hand the package over to an individual under the false pretense that it was being "secured" for safekeeping.
Business and government impersonators go after older adults’ life savings
Two alleged scammers posed as bank employees and tried to get a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detective to withdraw thousands of dollars from his checking account. The detective worked with fellow detectives, and the suspects were arrested when they came to collect the cash by courier.
Scammers pretend to be a bank employee with a warning about suspicious account activity.
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They say the only way to get out of the situation is to follow their very specific instructions — which always involve moving money.
Government agencies will never threaten you, and they’ll never tell you to transfer your money to “protect it,” deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, or hand off stacks of cash or gold to a courier.
Real government agents aren’t asking you to buy and deliver gold bars
Pennsylvania State Police say scammers posing as federal agents have collected about $6.5 million from victims by getting them to turn savings into gold. Victims are told their identity or bank accounts are tied to crime, then are directed to hand the gold to a courier for safekeeping.
Or they say your name and Social Security number are linked to crimes.
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To “protect your money,” they tell you to buy gold bars and hand them to someone.
Don’t give bars to a courier, and don’t deliver them.
Don’t Hand Off Your Assets for “Safe Keeping”
A retired Beverly, Chicago couple lost about $350,000, including life insurance money, after callers posing as Social Security investigators convinced them their identities had been used for fraud. The victims were told to wire money, cash out investments, and hand gold bars to a courier to protect their assets.
criminals impersonating SSA OIG agents and other federal law enforcement officials and requesting that their targets meet them in person to hand off cash, gold, or other forms of non-traceable currency.
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We are warning the public about scammers instructing victims to liquidate their assets into cash or buy gold to protect their funds,
NEVER agree to meet with individuals to deliver cash, gold bars, or previous metals.
FBI Albuquerque Warns of Government Impersonation Scams
A caller pretends to be an Aberdeen police employee, then a second caller backs up the story to convince the target that a supposed threat to their money is real. The police department says real agencies and banks never ask for cash, gift cards, or gold for safekeeping.
Following the initial contact, the victim received a subsequent call from a spoofed phone number appearing to be from the local Police Department, this caller confirmed that the victim was in fact under investigation and that he should follow the instructions given by the supposed Marshal.
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Subsequently, some of these scams are much more elaborate, with multiple scammers spoofing different agencies to draw the victim into the scheme.
neither the FBI nor any other legitimate law enforcement agency will ever demand cash or gift cards from you or ask you to move your money into an account for safe keeping.
Two Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Fraud Scheme Targeting Senior Citizens
Glasgow Police warned on October 23, 2026 that scammers are pressuring older adults to pull cash out of their bank or ATM. The cash is supposedly needed for an internal theft probe, and a fake FBI agent then takes it.
In one version of the scam, victims were told that their bank accounts had been compromised and they needed to withdraw all their cash and give it to fake “federal agents” for safekeeping.
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Victims did this during in-person meetings with fake “federal agents,”
According to court records, White and McNamara personally met with victims to collect packages of money from them
Two Indian Nationals Charged in Elder Fraud Gold Bar Courier Scam
A courier in a multi-state elder fraud ring was sentenced in Iowa after an undercover sting caught him collecting a lockbox of gold coins from an elderly Grimes couple who had already lost much of their savings. The Iowa Insurance Division warns that scammers posing as federal agents, legal authorities, or tech companies are sending couriers to collect cash and gold from seniors.
coconspirators posed as a customer service employee at a company or bank.
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move the victim’s money to another account that the perpetrators controlled
the victims would give the defendants and their coconspirators U.S. currency, gold bars, or gold coins under false pretenses
Did someone tell you to move or transfer your money? It could be a scam
Scammers pretending to be FTC or other federal agents persuade retirees to turn their savings into gold bars. Couriers then collect the gold in person, often using secret passwords, and in some cases the victims lose their life savings.
The person you’re talking to — who claims to be a helpful agent from the FTC, or another agency or organization — is really a scammer.
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Or, they tell you to cash out your savings to put in a box or buy cryptocurrency or gold bars.
The scammer controls the new bank or cryptocurrency accounts or sends someone to pick up the gold bars or boxes of cash “for safekeeping.”
Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this
A caller posing as a bank fraud team warns of a problem and pressures the victim to send money through Zelle. Because the victim sends the payment herself, the bank generally treats it as authorized and may not refund it.
In another scam involving Zelle — a bank-to-bank transfer app — scammers pose as your bank and tell you there's a problem with your account.
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To "protect" your account, the scammer tells you step-by-step instructions to transfer money from your bank account into a new account in your name.
But that new account really belongs to the scammer, so after you make the transfer, your money will be gone.
Tech/Customer Support and Government Impersonation
The FBI explains two linked call-center scams. In one, a fake tech or customer support person says there is a problem with your computer or accounts. In the other, a fake government or police official says you must move your money to keep it safe. The same criminals often run both together, as in the "Phantom Hacker" scam. These calls mostly target older adults.
Call centers overwhelmingly target older adults, with devastating effects.
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Criminals pose as a government official or law enforcement to extort money.
The fake official offers to assist with protecting financial accounts or investigating and recuperating lost money, but request the individual pay up front or transfer all their funds to "secure" their accounts.
Resist the pressure to act quickly.
Do not contact the telephone number provided in a pop-up, text, or email.
Do not download software at the request of an unknown individual who contacted you.
Do not allow an unknown individual who contacted you to have control of your devices or accounts.
The US Government and Law Enforcement will never request you send money via wire transfer to foreign accounts, cryptocurrency, cryptocurrency ATMs, gift/prepaid cards, or by shipping/mailing cash or precious metals.
Devious scammers pose as FTC agents — convince elderly victims to drain savings for gold bars
Scammers posing as Federal Trade Commission agents phone older people, claim their accounts are under attack, and tell them to turn their savings into gold bars. A courier then collects the gold using a secret password, and in Wyoming and Wisconsin police arrested suspects while the FBI warned about the scheme.
Scammers then allegedly told the victim someone had tried to drain their savings account through a wire transfer, but it was blocked.
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To protect their assets, the victim was allegedly told to withdraw their savings, convert the money into gold bars and wait for an “officer” to collect them at home.
When the victim resumed speaking with “Sam,” they were instructed to take the bag with gold outside and wait for the courier to arrive.
The sheriff’s office said the victim spent much of Oct. 20 on the phone with a man who called himself “Sam.” When a sheriff’s deputy arrived at the home and the victim mentioned it, “Sam” ordered them to hang up, tell the deputy nothing and call back once he was gone.
“So now they’re trying to take their time, pretend they’re from a government agency or your bank, build that rapport, build the trust, then they make the ask.”
Her Bank Will Refund a Zelle Payment She Didn't Authorize. One She Was Tricked Into Sending Is Another Story
A caller posing as a bank fraud team warns of a problem and pressures the victim to send money through Zelle. Because the victim sends the payment herself, the bank generally treats it as authorized and may not refund it.
If someone calls from your bank’s “fraud department,” hang up and dial the number on your card.
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Fake bank fraud alerts telling you to “move” your money
Your bank will never ask you to send money to yourself. If anyone asks, hang up and call your bank.
But if you personally send the payment after a caller convinces you there’s a problem with your account, the bank generally treats that transfer as authorized.
If you were tricked into sending it, every hour gives the scammer more time to move the money.
Morris County police warn residents about bank impersonation phone scam - WRNJ Radio
The Morristown Police Department warns that callers posing as bank representatives say suspicious activity has been found on a customer's account. Scammers may tell victims to withdraw large amounts of cash and give it to a courier or another person.
According to police, scammers may instruct victims to withdraw large sums of cash from their bank accounts and turn the money over to a courier or another person.
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Police emphasized that legitimate banks will never ask customers to withdraw cash and hand it over to a courier, stranger or investigator.
Police also warned that scammers can manipulate caller ID information to make incoming calls appear to originate from legitimate banks or financial institutions.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call should hang up and contact their bank directly using the telephone number printed on the back of their bank card, rather than relying on a number provided by the caller.
Authorities said any request to withdraw cash or transfer money to another person should be considered a major warning sign of potential fraud.
Chicago man ordered to repay $83K in Des Moines elder fraud case
A Chicago man was sentenced to probation and ordered to repay about $83,000 after acting as a courier for a scam that stripped an elderly Grimes, Iowa couple of their savings. Investigators caught him in an undercover sting when he came to the couple's home to collect a lockbox of gold coins.
The fraud bureau says these scams often start with fake computer warnings claiming someone's device or financial accounts have been compromised.
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Scammers then call victims pretending to be federal agents, legal authorities or tech company representatives. They tell targets to withdraw cash, buy gold and hand it over to a courier.
Legitimate financial institutions and law enforcement agencies will never send a courier to pick up money or valuables.
Anyone who suspects they or a loved one has been targeted can contact local law enforcement or file a report with the Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6464.
Fall River Police Department issues warning concerning scam that's circulating
Fall River police are warning that callers pose as law enforcement, federal investigators, or bank fraud staff and say a person's money is bad or tied to crime. The victim is told to pull cash from the bank or gather it at home so a supposed officer or courier can collect it.
Scammers contact victims and claim that their money is “bad,” compromised, counterfeit, or connected to criminal activity.
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They instruct victims to withdraw cash from their bank accounts or gather money from their homes, claiming it needs to be examined or secured as part of an investigation.
These scammers can be extremely convincing. They may use official-sounding titles, spoof legitimate telephone numbers, and create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into cooperating.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately! Do not withdraw money, arrange a pickup, or provide any financial information.
NJ police warn residents of bank impersonation phone scam
Morristown police warned New Jersey residents about callers who say they are from a bank and claim their account shows suspicious activity. The callers push victims to pull out large amounts of cash and give it to someone else, supposedly to protect their money.
The scammers then instruct the victims to withdraw a large sum of cash and hand it over to a third party, typically under the guise of protecting their money or assisting with an investigation.
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Police are reminding residents that banks and law enforcement agencies will never ask them to withdraw money and hand it over to a courier, stranger or investigator.
Similarly, these entities will never ask you to participate in a secret "sting operation" involving their personal funds, the post said.
Residents should also never share banking passwords, PIN numbers, verification codes or account information with unsolicited callers, police said.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call should hang up immediately and contact their bank directly using the phone number printed on the back of their bank card.
Scammer posing as bank agent dupes Union County man out of $17,000, police say
A caller claiming to be a bank representative told a Pennsylvania man his account was compromised, and he withdrew $17,000 in cash. A courier then came to his home to collect the money, and police later charged the courier with financial exploitation of an older adult.
A Gregg Township resident in Union County was deceived into withdrawing $17,000 from his bank account after being told the account had been compromised, according to the Pennsylvania State Police in Milton.
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State police said an unknown person who identified himself as “Ryan” contacted the victim and convinced him to withdraw the money.
Investigators said the victim was told that Ryan would arrive at the victim’s home to collect the $17,000, but a courier later came to the residence to pick up the cash.
Pennsylvania State Police urges residents to stay alert for scams, verify the agency they are speaking with, and protect personal information, including Social Security numbers and bank account information.
Iowa Insurance Division Sting Leads to Restitution and Probation in Elder Fraud Scheme
A courier in a multi-state elder fraud ring was sentenced in Iowa after an undercover sting caught him collecting a lockbox of gold coins from an elderly Grimes couple who had already lost much of their savings. The Iowa Insurance Division warns that scammers posing as federal agents, legal authorities, or tech companies are sending couriers to collect cash and gold from seniors.
Government and Tech Support Impersonation: Callers falsely identifying themselves as federal agents, legal authorities, or major tech companies instructing targets to transfer funds.
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In-Person Couriers: Demands to withdraw cash, purchase gold or bullion, and surrender assets directly to a driver or courier service. Legitimate financial institutions and law enforcement agencies will never send a courier to retrieve funds.
Deceptive Pop-Up Warnings: Urgent computer screen prompts claiming device compromise or compromised financial accounts.
These networks rely on deceptive communications to induce panic and dispatch local or out-of-state runners to secure cash and precious metals before victims realize they are being defrauded.
Residents who suspect they or a loved one have been targeted by financial exploitation are urged to contact local law enforcement or file a report with the Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6464.
Scammers Posing as U.S. Marshals Target Orange County Resident
Callers claiming to be a U.S. Marshal phoned an elderly Orange County, New York woman and said her bank account was compromised. They told her to pull out all her money for safekeeping, and her daughter stopped the call and checked with the bank.
They explain that an elderly woman received a phone call "from someone posing as a U.S. Marshal." The scammer told the woman over the phone that her bank account was compromised.
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The scammer then "instructed her to withdraw all her funds for safekeeping." Thankfully, the victims daughter "recognized the scam, ended the call, and verified the situation with the bank."
The Orange County Sheriff's Office went on to say "Law Enforcement will never ask for payment over the phone."
They explain once again to never pay in prepaid gift cards or transfer money into crypto.
Remember: Scammers may use fear and urgency to trick you into acting without thinking. Stay alert, verify unexpected claims, and never withdraw or hand over money at the direction of an unsolicited caller claiming to be law enforcement.
Odessa police warn residents about bank impersonation scams
Odessa police are warning about phone callers who claim to be from a victim's bank and say the account is at risk. The callers push people to pull out large amounts of cash and hand it to a courier or rideshare driver.
The Odessa Police Department told residents Tuesday to be aware of a series of phone scams targeting the area.
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officers said scammers are calling Texans claiming to represent their bank and pressuring them to withdraw large amounts of cash. Scammers may then arrange a meeting with a cash courier or rideshare driver with a passcode to "protect" the money.
Officers told residents that if they receive a call about their account being at risk, to stop, hang up and verify directly with the bank before taking action, using the phone number on your bank card or account statement. Do not use phone numbers supplied by the caller and never meet anyone in person or share any passcodes.
Odessa police warn of scam targeting bank customers
Odessa police are warning residents about callers who pose as bank fraud staff, claim the account is at risk, and push victims to pull out cash. The scam often ends with a courier or rideshare driver collecting the money, and police say older adults are especially targeted.
Police say scammers claim a person’s bank account is in danger and instruct them to withdraw large amounts of cash to protect their money.
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The scammers may arrange for courier, sometimes described as a rideshare driver, to collect cash.
Victims may also be asked to provide a passcode, such as a dollar bill’s serial number.
Police say older adults are particularly at risk.
Residents are urged to hang up, avoid withdrawing money and contact their bank directly using an official phone number.
Anyone who has already handed over money should immediately contact their bank and Odessa Police Department.
San Diego gold retailer caught in fallout from scam targeting seniors
A San Diego precious metals dealer lost use of its bank account after two customers were tricked into buying gold bars for a fake government safekeeping story. The article describes how the scam works and warns that any stranger who tells you to buy gold to protect your money is likely a scammer.
Someone posing as a government official then contacts the victim, claiming criminals have compromised their bank accounts.
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To supposedly protect their money, victims are instructed to purchase gold bars.
They're then told a courier will collect the gold for safekeeping while an investigation continues.
Instead, the gold disappears with the scammers.
Elderly couple loses life savings to scammer posing as FBI agent
A caller pretending to be an FBI agent told an elderly Burbank, Illinois couple their bank was under investigation, and they lost their life savings. The scam involved repeated bank trips, a courier, and the couple handing over cash.
An elderly couple in Burbank, Illinois, said they lost their life savings after a caller convinced them he was an FBI agent investigating suspicious activity at their bank.
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The scam involved trips to two different Chase branches, a courier in a black SUV and a man claiming to work for the FBI.
Two Suspects Arrested After Targeting Veteran Palm Beach Detective in Bank Impersonation Scam - The Boca Raton Tribune
Callers posing as bank staff pressured a Palm Beach County detective to pull thousands of dollars out of his checking account and hand it to a courier. Police set up a sting, and two men were arrested when they came to collect the cash.
The callers claimed to represent his financial institution and attempted to convince him to immediately withdraw thousands of dollars from his checking account—tactics consistent with a surge of high-pressure bank-impersonation schemes that have targeted vulnerable and elderly residents throughout South Florida.
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The suspects directed the detective to send the cash by arranging for an Uber courier to transport the parcel into neighboring Broward County. When the rideshare driver reached the designated destination, the callers instructed the driver to deposit the package beneath a parked automobile.
The sheriff’s office noted that while this incident concluded with swift arrests, similar schemes frequently result in devastating financial losses for older residents.
Officials reminded the public never to release financial information or hand over cash based on unsolicited calls, to verify unexpected security alerts directly with banking institutions through verified numbers, and to contact local law enforcement whenever suspicious demands arise.
When scammers target seniors
This feature explains why older adults can be more vulnerable to scams and shares several real cases. Its lead story is a retiree who was told by a fake bank caller to withdraw cash to protect it from 'thieves.'
The voice said there was a problem with her bank account and gave her a number to call.
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The man who answered told her, "Your bank account is about to be scammed. They're planning to take $35,000 out of your account, so you need to get the money out now."
She was warned not to call the bank, which had already been taken over by the "thieves."
Fraudsters may encourage targets to move money into "safe" accounts, guarantee high returns from investments, or convince marks that sending money will protect a loved one from harm.
Across every age, though, scammers lean on urgency — pressuring targets to act immediately, before there's time to verify anything.
Is Your Senior Parent Mailing Cash? It Was the Key to a $65 Million Scam
Callers posing as tech support agents, government officials, or bank employees persuaded older victims to withdraw cash, hide it in packages, and send it to fake names at short-term rental addresses. The article describes a $65 million fraud ring tied to this method and gives warning signs and steps families can take.
If your parent is withdrawing large amounts of cash and packing it to mail because someone on the phone told them to, ask what’s happening before the package leaves their hands.
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Victims were directed to hide cash inside packages and send them by express delivery to names and addresses they were given.
A caller might claim there’s a problem with an account or a virus on a computer. They may insist the person stay on the line, leaving little opportunity to check the story.
If a parent describes a call like this, help them pause and verify it independently. Call the supposed organization using a number from its official website or a bank card.
Act quickly. The FTC’s phone scam guidance says people who sent cash through the U.S. mail should contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and ask about intercepting the package.
Finally, be cautious of anyone who contacts your parent and promises to recover the money for a fee.
Scam Involves Caller Impersonating Aberdeen Police Officer
A caller pretends to be an Aberdeen police employee, then a second caller backs up the story to convince the target that a supposed threat to their money is real. The police department says real agencies and banks never ask for cash, gift cards, or gold for safekeeping.
A resident reported being the target of a phone scam with the caller impersonating a member of the Aberdeen Police Department.
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"Scammers convince victims their money is in danger and pressure them to act immediately.
"Stop. Hang up. Verify. Called ID can be spoofed.
Legitimate government agencies, police departments and financial institutions will never ask a person to hand over cash, gift cards or gold for safekeeping.
"If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the organization directly using its official, publicly listed telephone number.
Con artist wanted scammed four Queens seniors out of more than $90K of their life savings: NYPD
NYPD investigators are looking for a con artist who has targeted at least four Queens seniors since June and taken more than $90,000 in savings. The article says the suspect contacted victims by email and phone, had them withdraw cash from their banks, and then collected the money in person.
Police from three Queens NYPD precincts are looking for a young con artist who targeted at least four senior citizens in the last five months and convinced them to part with their life savings in excess of $90,000 so far.
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The first grand larceny occurred on Tuesday, June 2, after an 80–year-old Astoria woman received an email informing her that she was the victim of a scam and providing a contact number.
The victim called the number and spoke with the modern-day Rasputin, who used deception to persuade her to withdraw $20,000 from her bank.
Two days later, a 72-year-old woman received a phone call on Friday, Sept. 4, from the unidentified man who used deception to persuade her to withdraw $30,000 from her bank.
Anyone with information regarding these grand larcenies is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 888-57-PISTA (74782).
Kentucky police warn of scam targeting elderly people. Here's what to know
Glasgow, Kentucky police warn that scammers are telling older residents to withdraw cash from their banks to help investigate supposed internal theft. The story says police will never ask for money to be withdrawn for an investigation.
GPD said scammers are asking elderly individuals to go to their banks and withdraw money, advising that the money is needed to “investigate ‘internal theft’” at the bank.
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After the victim has withdrawn the money, GPD said they are asked to meet with an “FBI agent” to check the bills for fingerprints and other evidence.
GPD said the victims may also be asked to go inside or use an ATM to withdraw funds.
“This is a scam, no Law Enforcement agency will ask you to withdraw money for an investigation,” GPD said.
Glasgow police warn of scam targeting older adults
Glasgow Police warned on October 23, 2026 that scammers are pressuring older adults to pull cash out of their bank or ATM. The cash is supposedly needed for an internal theft probe, and a fake FBI agent then takes it.
According to police, scammers tell the person that money withdrawn from the institution is needed to investigate theft within that institution.
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Police said victims may be asked to go inside their financial institution to get the money or to use an ATM.
After making the withdrawal, the person is asked to meet someone described as an “FBI Agent,” according to the notice.
Police identified the request as fraudulent and said no law enforcement agency will ask someone to withdraw money for an investigation.
Pennsylvania police say fake federal agents have stolen $6.5 million in gold bars from Americans across multiple states
Pennsylvania State Police say scammers posing as federal agents have collected about $6.5 million from victims by getting them to turn savings into gold. Victims are told their identity or bank accounts are tied to crime, then are directed to hand the gold to a courier for safekeeping.
A pop-up on your computer probably doesn't signal to you the possibility of a scam that could wipe out your savings.
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The caller may say the victim's Social Security number has been connected to a criminal investigation or that their financial and personal information has been compromised. The goal is to convince the person that their money is in danger.
From there, victims are told to withdraw money from their bank or retirement accounts and use it to buy gold bars or coins. Once they've done that, the gold is supposed to be handed over to a courier for "safekeeping."
Callers have claimed to represent agencies including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
Pennsylvania State Police are asking anyone who was told to buy or hand over gold to a courier in August or September to contact investigators.