Voice Phishing Reporting

In the District, voice phishing scams are unfortunately on the rise, often leveraging local context to appear more credible. Criminals frequently spoof caller IDs to resemble local government agencies or trusted banks, making the fraudulent calls seem legitimate to unsuspecting residents. The D.C. Office of the Attorney General has specifically warned that scams involving "overdue tax payments," "unclaimed refunds," and "compromised accounts" have become increasingly sophisticated in their execution and psychological manipulation.

Residents are strongly urged to avoid disclosing personal or financial information over the phone, especially when the call is unsolicited or raises any suspicion. It is crucial to remember that legitimate government agencies, including the IRS, FBI, and D.C. government, do not ask for money transfers or sensitive financial data during unexpected phone calls. Any suspicious requests for personal information or payment should be immediately verified by directly calling the agency’s official, publicly listed number, not one provided by the caller, before considering any form of Voice Phishing Reporting.

• Contact Law Enforcement: Report the incident to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) by calling 911 (for emergencies) or 311 for non-emergencies and ensure you explicitly state that you were a victim of voice phishing. You can also visit your local precinct to file a formal police report, which is essential for legal and financial recovery efforts and for successful Voice Phishing Reporting.
• Federal Reporting: In addition to local authorities, notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via their online portal at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov to contribute to federal efforts against voice phishing. These federal reports help track national trends and coordinate law enforcement responses across jurisdictions.
• Notify Your Bank: If funds were transferred or personal account information was compromised by the voice phishing attempt, contact your bank or credit union immediately. Request a freeze on suspicious accounts and initiate a formal fraud investigation to attempt recovery of the stolen assets.
• Report to D.C. DISB: Report the incident to the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), especially if financial service providers were involved in the transaction or if the scam leveraged financial products. DISB can offer further support and regulatory insight, and you can reach them at (202) 727-8000 or visit disb.dc.gov.

• Call Logs: Document the caller ID, the specific date, and the precise time of the voice phishing call, including the duration of the conversation.
• Call Recordings: If technologically possible, record the call or retrieve any existing recordings from voicemail or your phone service provider.
• Screenshots: Capture screenshots of any suspicious texts, emails, or messenger app content that were part of the voice phishing scheme.
• Bank Statements: Secure detailed records of unauthorized transactions or attempted wire transfers resulting from the fraudulent call.
• Correspondence: Save and archive all emails or physical letters related to the scam or the follow-up communication from the perpetrators.

These materials should be submitted with your police or FTC report and stored securely, as they will be indispensable for any future civil or criminal litigation arising from the voice phishing incident.

Legal counsel specializing in fraud can assist victims of voice phishing with the complexities of the recovery process. An attorney can effectively assist with filing formal fraud recovery claims with financial institutions, often navigating complex bureaucratic hurdles. They can also initiate civil litigation against intermediary or negligent entities, pursuing damages for emotional distress or breach of fiduciary duty where appropriate, and navigating insurance claims, if applicable. You are entitled to support and recourse under Washington D.C.’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act (D.C. Code § 28-3901 et seq.) as a victim of unfair and deceptive trade practices like voice phishing.

Even if the amount lost in the voice phishing scam seems minor, always report the incident to the authorities using the proper Voice Phishing Reporting channels. Coordinated law enforcement responses and successful prosecutions rely heavily on aggregated data from all victims, large and small. Early reporting and robust, secure documentation of the entire incident are your strongest assets in the fight against sophisticated voice phishing fraud.