The FBI or other government officials ARE NOT coming to pick up your money!
Imagine receiving a phone call telling you that your identity has been stolen, your bank accounts may be involved in criminal activity, and your life savings are at risk.
The person on the phone says they are working with the FBI, FDIC, or another government agency. They know enough about you to sound legitimate. They may provide case numbers, official-looking documents or other information that makes the investigation seem real.
Then comes the solution: Move your money somewhere safe.
You may be told that your bank—or even bank employees—cannot be trusted. You may be instructed not to tell your family, your banker or local law enforcement what is happening because doing so could jeopardize the “investigation.”
Finally, you’re told to withdraw cash or purchase gold so the government can place your assets in a “federal locker,” “bank locker” or “government vault” for safekeeping.
This is a scam.
And it is happening to real people.
In one known case, a victim believed she was cooperating with the FBI and FDIC to protect her money. On multiple occasions, she withdrew large amounts of cash and met individuals in public locations, where she handed the cash to people arriving in vehicles to supposedly transport it to a secure government location.
There was no government vault. There was no bank locker. The people collecting the money were criminals.
The FBI is warning that similar schemes are occurring across the country. Criminals are even convincing victims to convert their savings into gold bars and other precious metals before sending couriers to collect them. From 2023 through May 2025, the FBI documented at least 1,737 incidents involving couriers picking up cash or gold, with approximately $186 million in reported losses nationwide.
The FBI has described victims being told almost exactly the same story: cooperate with the government, keep the investigation secret, liquidate their assets and transfer their money to a “federal locker” or “government vault” for safekeeping.
Remember this one rule: The FBI, FDIC and other legitimate government agencies will NEVER ask you to withdraw cash, buy gold or precious metals, or meet a courier to hand over your money for safekeeping.
The FDIC is currently warning consumers about an increase in criminals impersonating FDIC and FDIC Office of Inspector General personnel. The FDIC states that it will never ask you to provide money in an unsolicited contact.
If anyone tells you that your money is in danger and needs to be moved to a government-controlled account, locker or vault, stop immediately.
Do not withdraw the money.
Do not purchase gold.
Do not meet the courier.
Do not follow instructions to keep the situation secret.
Call your bank at a phone number you know to be legitimate. DO NOT use a phone number provided by someone calling you.
Even if the caller has told you that your bank is involved in the investigation, talk to us before moving your money. We would much rather spend time helping you determine whether something is legitimate than see you lose a lifetime of savings.
And please share this warning with your parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors.
Credit:
Matt Ritter
Chief Operating Officer
Clear Lake Bank and Trust Company