The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has sounded a nationwide alarm, warning Americans that cybercriminals are actively impersonating its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website to steal personal and financial information. The agency’s rare and urgent Public Service Announcement, issued in late September 2025, comes after a notable uptick in sophisticated scams that could jeopardize both individual users and the very trust underpinning the nation’s cybercrime reporting infrastructure.
For millions of Americans, the IC3 platform is the go-to destination for reporting online scams, fraud, and cybercrimes. Established in 2000 as the Internet Fraud Complaint Centre and rebranded in 2003, the IC3 has handled hundreds of thousands of complaints every year, serving as a critical first line of defense against digital threats. But now, according to the FBI’s advisory, that very trust is under attack from a new breed of scammer.
So, how are these cybercriminals pulling off their scheme? According to the FBI’s official statement, threat actors are creating nearly identical copies of the legitimate IC3 website by making subtle changes to the web address—think of clever misspellings or the use of alternative top-level domains. It’s the digital equivalent of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. For example, a fraudulent site might swap out a single letter or use a domain like “.com” instead of the official “.gov.” As the FBI puts it, “A spoofed website is designed to impersonate a legitimate website and may be used for illegal conduct, such as personal information theft and to facilitate monetary scams.”
The danger is real and immediate. Unsuspecting users, looking to file a report or seek help, may stumble onto these fake portals—often through search engine results or paid advertisements—without realizing they’ve landed on a counterfeit. Once there, they’re asked to provide sensitive details: names, home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and even banking information. It’s a treasure trove for identity thieves and fraudsters.
The FBI’s warning, posted both on its official website and through major media outlets, notes that the scammers’ tactics don’t stop at fake websites. In some cases, these criminals have gone so far as to impersonate IC3 staff, contacting victims directly and promising to recover lost funds—if, and only if, the victim pays an upfront fee. The FBI is unequivocal: “The FBI and IC3 will never ask for payment to help a victim.” This fee-for-help ruse is a classic red flag, and anyone who encounters it should immediately suspect a scam.
These impersonation attempts aren’t new, but they’re becoming more prevalent and more sophisticated. According to the FBI, over 100 reports of such scams were received between December 2023 and February 2025 alone. This follows a pattern dating back to at least 2018, when phishing emails and malicious websites mimicking the IC3 began circulating, sometimes even embedding malware designed to compromise victims’ devices.
Why is this such a big deal? Beyond the immediate risk of losing money or having one’s identity stolen, these spoofed sites threaten to erode public trust in the very agencies meant to protect them. As reported by the FBI, “spoofed government websites threaten identity theft, financial fraud, and erode trust in official cybercrime reporting channels.” When victims can’t be sure they’re communicating with the real authorities, it undermines the effectiveness of law enforcement and leaves citizens feeling vulnerable.
The FBI’s advisory is packed with advice on how to avoid falling into these traps. First and foremost: always type “www.ic3.gov” directly into your browser’s address bar. Don’t rely on search engines, where paid ads and manipulated results can easily steer you wrong. Always double-check that the web address ends in “.gov” and that there are no misspellings or odd characters. If the site looks unprofessional—say, with poor-quality graphics or clunky layouts—that’s another warning sign. And perhaps most importantly, remember that the IC3 does not maintain any official social media pages. Any page claiming otherwise is a fake.
If you do find yourself a victim—whether you’ve handed over personal information or, worse, sent money—the FBI urges you to report the incident to the real IC3 as soon as possible. Include every detail you can, especially any information about financial transactions. The more information you provide, the better equipped authorities will be to investigate and, hopefully, stop the scammers in their tracks.
For cybersecurity experts, the threat posed by spoofed government websites is a twofold problem. On one hand, there’s the direct financial and emotional harm to victims. On the other, there’s the long-term damage to public trust. As the FBI has pointed out, “With the IC3 handling hundreds of thousands of complaints annually, the potential misuse of citizen data through impersonation sites could severely impact victims and obstruct law enforcement investigations.”
It’s a sobering reminder that in the digital age, even the most trusted institutions are targets. The FBI’s campaign to raise awareness isn’t just about protecting individual users—it’s about safeguarding the integrity of the entire cybercrime reporting ecosystem. By encouraging vigilance and providing clear, actionable advice, the agency hopes to stem the tide of these sophisticated scams.
But the responsibility doesn’t rest solely with the FBI. Internet users themselves are the first line of defense. Simple habits—like manually entering URLs, scrutinizing web addresses, and being skeptical of unsolicited requests for payment—can make all the difference. And when in doubt, reaching out directly to official government channels for verification is always the best course of action.
As cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics, the need for public awareness has never been greater. The FBI’s message is clear: stay alert, double-check every detail, and don’t let scammers turn a moment of vulnerability into a lasting disaster. For anyone who relies on the internet—and that’s just about everyone these days—a healthy dose of skepticism and a few extra seconds of caution can go a long way toward keeping your information, and your peace of mind, safe.
With the stakes this high, the FBI’s warning serves as a timely wake-up call for all Americans. The fight against cybercrime isn’t just the job of law enforcement—it’s a shared responsibility, and it starts with every click, every form, and every report.
