The FCC is warning the public about fraudulent calls and text messages from individuals posing as agency employees or commissioners.
According to the Commission, the impostors tell victims their phone numbers are under investigation for criminal activity and demand immediate payment or personal financial information to resolve the fabricated issue.
Commissioner Anna Gomez shared on X, “No FCC commissioner will ever call or text asking for your personal information or demanding money.” She advocated for prosecuting the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.
The FCC advised anyone receiving such communications to hang up immediately. If the message includes threats of violence, the agency recommends contacting local law enforcement.
The federal government remains a frequent target for imposter scams, which cost consumers an estimated $3.5 billion in 2025. The FCC continues to take enforcement action against voice service providers that allow illegal imposter robocalls to operate on their networks.
Commercial radio operators and local stations may want to inform their listeners of the scam during news updates or public affairs programming to help prevent further financial fraud in their communities. Source: FCC Alert— August 10, 2026