The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has received multiple reports that our office's name is being used as part of an imposter scam targeting individuals throughout the country.
OVC is not making these phone calls.
These scammers falsely represent themselves as OVC employees and attempt to obtain or confirm personal information from the call recipient, such as a social security number, or will ask for money by suggesting the person's social security number has been compromised. The scammers may call from a local number and provide a “case number,” but it is all a fraud.
We encourage the public to remain vigilant and do not provide personal information during calls in which someone claims to be from OVC or the “OVC Fraud Prevention Unit.” OVC has no such unit.
We also encourage those who have received one of these calls to report this information to us through the OVC Resource Center by email. Individuals may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).
(Updated December 17, 2019)