Threats From a Fake FBI Agent Demanding Money or a Home Sale

Attorney Answer

This is a scam. The FBI does not call people to demand money, and it does not tell anyone to sell their house. Do not send money, and do not sign anything about your home.

What you are describing is a recognized federal crime. Under 18 U.S.C. § 912, it is a crime to falsely assume or pretend to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States or any department or agency of it, and to act as such or, in that pretended character, demand or obtain any money, paper, document, or thing of value. A caller claiming to be from the FBI in order to pressure you into paying or selling your home is squarely inside that statute.

Idaho has its own version. Idaho Code § 18-3005, "Intimidation by false assertion of authority," makes it a misdemeanor — up to a year in county jail and a fine up to $1,000 — to falsely represent yourself as a public officer, public employee, or a person with law enforcement authority in connection with legal proceedings; to simulate legal process such as a subpoena, warrant, or judgment knowing it to be fraudulent; or to take action against a person or their property while falsely claiming legal authority.

Be clear about what those statutes do and do not do for you. They confirm that this conduct is criminal, which is why you should stop engaging with it. They do not give you a case to file, and you cannot make a prosecutor charge anyone. Your protection comes from cutting off contact and protecting your money and your house.

What you can do

1. Stop all contact. Hang up, do not call back, do not answer, block the number. Do not "clear it up" — every conversation is an opportunity for them. 2. Send no money in any form: no wires, no gift cards, no cash apps, no cryptocurrency, no checks. Real federal agencies never collect that way. 3. Do not list, sell, or transfer your house because of this. Do not sign a deed, a power of attorney, a listing agreement, or any document anyone brings you connected to these calls. 4. Report it. File online with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you want to speak to the real FBI, get the number from fbi.gov — never a number the caller gave you. 5. If you already sent money, call your bank or the wire service immediately and tell them it was a fraud. Speed is the only thing that ever recovers funds. 6. Tell someone you trust — an adult child, a friend, your bank's branch manager — before making any financial decision in the next few weeks. 7. If someone in your life is the one pressuring you to sell or to hand over money, that is its own problem. Call your local police non-emergency line, or Idaho Adult Protective Services, and say you are being pressured about your home and your money. 8. If anyone shows up at your door claiming authority, do not open it. Call 911 and let dispatch tell you whether real officers are there.