Scam Alert: Scammers impersonating government officials

The Madison Police Department is warning residents about a current scam in the Madison community. 

Criminals are impersonating government officials and are convincing victims to convert their assets into gold, initiate wire transfers or mail cashier's checks.

Scammers have been contacting victims by phone and text message, claiming to represent the Social Security Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the U.S. Supreme Court, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Bullion Depository.

The scammers text victims “official documents" that have the seals and names of legitimate government entities and officials but are fraudulent in nature.

The current scam involves false claims that the victim's Social Security number has been compromised and their assets are at risk of being frozen or stolen. The victims are then instructed to “protect" their funds by withdrawing them from financial accounts, then told to initiate wire transfers, mail cashiers check or convert funds into physical gold.

In the scams involving converting assets into gold, the scammers have been arranging couriers to meet victims at public parking lots to turn over the gold for “protection."

The Madison Police Department urges community members to keep the following information in mind if they are contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency:

• Government agencies do not require citizens to move funds to keep personal accounts safe.
• Federal, State and local law enforcement will never instruct you to purchase gold or anything else to assist with an investigation.

The Social Security Administration will never:

• Text pictures of badges, credentials or official-looking documents
• Suspend your Social Security number
• Demand immediate payment from you
• Threaten to seize your bank account
• Instruct you to move your assets to keep them safe
• Direct you to convert your assets into gold
• Demand secrecy

If you or someone you know has been affected by a similar scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency to file a report.