Phone scam afflicts Ferris

Several students report calls coming from outside the U.S. imitating FBI and demanding money

Ferris students reported receiving calls from a number imitating the FBI demanding money.

On Wednesday, Mar. 2, Ferris Department of Public Safety received multiple student reports saying that they received calls from a person claiming to be from the Lansing FBI. The phone number the caller uses is the Lansing FBI number, which the caller somehow reproduced.

According to the reports, the caller tells the victim to look up the number if they doubted that it was truly the FBI. The caller then instructs the victim to put money on a green dot card at Walmart, and if they do not comply they will be arrested.

The Lansing FBI states that they have gotten two dozen calls from victims that were checking on the supposed demands. The FBI has said that they would not demand money or an ultimatum over the phone.

The caller has not yet been identified, but the calls are being made from outside the United States. FBI officials also dealt with a similar situation earlier this week at another Michigan university. Ferris students and staff should be on the lookout for this scam. If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Ferris DPS at 231-591-5000.