No Drone Zone graphic

Note to Eugene media: in-person interviews are available between 1 and 2 pm. Please contact media.portland@fbi.gov to schedule a time.
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The FBI, working with local, state and federal partners, will enforce a “No Drone Zone” area in Eugene and Springfield during the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field. The zone, which falls under a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), will be established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it will be in effect during the active event days (June 18 – 21 and June 24 – 27).

The TFR will run two nautical miles out from Hayward Field on all active event days and three nautical miles out (to include the Race Walk events in Springfield) on June 26th.

The FAA B4UFLY mobile app is one of many ways that drone operators can access information about controlled airspace, special use airspace, critical infrastructure, airports, national parks, military training routes and temporary flight restrictions. The B4UFLY app is available to download for free at the App Store for iOS and Google Play store for Android. More info on the app can be found here.

The FBI has the authority to seize drones that violate these TFRs, and drone operators may face civil penalties or criminal charges. If you are a drone operator, ensure you are aware of these restrictions and comply with them. 

Congress gave the FBI the authority to counter, seize, and investigate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in 2018 with the passage of the Preventing Emerging Threats Act. The Department of Justice has designated Hayward Field and airspace around the facility as a protected venue, allowing for enforcement of "no drone zones" under this act.

In addition to the “no drone zone” operations, the FBI, Eugene Police, University of Oregon Police, and other local, state and federal partners have been coordinating in order to rapidly share any threat information to the U.S. Olympic Trials or any related activities. There is currently no known threat to any of the scheduled events.

All of the law enforcement partners remind everyone who lives, works, or is visiting the area that if they See Something, Say Something. Working together, we can help keep the events safe for the athletes and the wider community.

Anyone with information about potential threats targeting the U.S. Olympic Trials should contact the FBI at (800) CALL-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov, or call local authorities.

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TT - Elder Fraud (Sweepstakes) - GRAPHIC - June 15, 2021

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) today released its 2020 Elder Fraud Report at www.ic3.gov. In 2020, IC3 received a total of 791,790 complaints with reported losses exceeding $4.1 billion. Based on the information provided in the complaints, approximately 28% of the total fraud losses were sustained by victims over the age of 60, resulting in approximately $1 billion in losses to seniors. This represents an increase of approximately $300 million in losses reported in 2020 versus what was reported by victims over 60 in 2019. More info can be found here.

In recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness day (today) and Elder Abuse Awareness Month (June), our next few Tech Tuesday reports will address specific fraud schemes targeting seniors.

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Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: a look at how to help senior citizens build a digital defense against elder fraud. 

Sweepstakes scams may make you think you are a big winner when, in fact, you could end up losing everything. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center says that more than 3,700 senior victims reported losses of $38 million to this kind of scam in 2020. 

Here’s how it works: the bad guy convinces the senior that she has won money in a sweepstakes or foreign lottery. The fraudsters often claim to be an attorney, customs official, or lottery representative. They make an effort to appear official and reputable. The scammer tells the victim that she has to pay some kind of fee before receiving a prize… a fee for shipping or insurance costs, customs duties or taxes.  

Through the course of this scam, the criminal will often find and use personal information about the victim in an effort to gain her trust. The scammer knows that older victims are more likely to be polite, trusting and willing to believe those in a position of authority.  

The second kind of elder fraud we are talking about today involves telemarketing scams… scams where the bad guy convinces the victim he can make money fast or avoid some legal or tax problem.

These kinds of scams have been around forever, but evolving technology makes them even harder to spot. Criminals buy and sell marketing lists and personal information so they can have as many details as possible about their victims before they make contact. In some cases, they take the time to build a relationship with the senior so the senior is less likely to look for outside guidance before sending money to the scammer. 

Here’s how you can protect yourself and family members: 

• Do not give out personal info by phone, mail, or the internet unless you initiate the contact.  
• Always use publicly available sources to confirm you are using legitimate contact numbers and addresses for a business or agency. 
• Do not pay for fees or services with a gift card. Legitimate services will not request payment like this. 
• Be wary if someone tells you that you have to pay immediately or the offer will disappear. 
• Be wary if you have to pay any fee or provide bank account information for a “free” gift, vacation or prize. 

As the old adage goes – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

If you have been victimized by an online scam, report your suspicious contacts to the FBI. You can file an online report at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office. 

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TT - Doctor Scams - GRAPHIC - June 8, 2021

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against drug scams targeting doctors. 

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is seeinge more and more reports of a scam that is targeting both active and retired doctors. The victim receives a call or message from someone claiming to be a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent. 

The alleged DEA agent claims that someone is using the doctor’s DEA number to illegally prescribe tens of thousands of units of opioids. The scammer tells the doctor that he or she needs to change her Social Security number and/or is subject to arrest for the illegal activity. 

If you get one of these government impersonation scam calls, here’s how to protect yourself: 

• Never respond to unsolicited or unknown calls or messages. 

• If someone asks you for your Social Security number or other personal financial or health information, hang up. 

• If you receive an email or text message asking you to click on a link – don’t do it. The fraudster is likely trying to get you to download malware onto your device. 

If you are the victim of an online fraud, you should report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at? www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.?? 

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TT - Unwanted Apps - GrAPHIC - June 1, 2021

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against unwanted apps! 

Did you forget your password again? You know you are supposed to create complex and unique passwords for everything, which makes it really difficult to remember what they all are. Luckily, more and more sites are offering you the chance to log in with your Facebook or Google or other digital account. Seems easy, right? 

It is definitely easier to collect and become registered on more and more websites and apps if you go this route – but our friends at the FTC have a warning for you. This kind of open access can leave you vulnerable to cyberattacks, phishing, and scams. 

When you use social media accounts to sign up for apps or websites, you may give the app or website permission to do things on your behalf, like post to your social media page. You’re also possibly saying it’s OK to access information like your name, birthdate, location, contacts, and even your messages. Over time, you may even forget which apps or sites have these permissions. 

Here’s how to keep yourself safe:  

• Start by asking yourself – does this site or app really need my info? Pay attention to what kind of details and access it is asking for. If you are uncomfortable allowing access, click “deny” or “disagree” when it asks for permissions. This typically stops the registration process. 

• Purge your permissions list. Go to the settings on your social media site and follow the instructions that lead you to the list of sites and apps to which you are granting access. Follow the instructions that tell you how to remove those apps or sites. 

• Delete all apps from your devices that you are not using. 

• Keep up the good work! Check your accounts every few months to see what kinds of permissions your programs or apps have. 

If you are the victim of an online fraud, you should report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ?www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.?? 

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TT - Adult Content Extortion - GRAPHIC - May 25, 2021

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against adult content extortion schemes. 

Extortion schemes are as old as time, but in recent years we’ve seen a number of scams in which the fraudster says he has photos or videos of the victim in compromising positions. Usually the victim receives an email with his or her name listed and maybe some personal details... just enough to make it seem as though the bad guy really has something on you. He demands payment, often within 48 hours, or he threatens to release the images he allegedly has of you to your friends and family. 

Well lately, we’ve been seeing a number of extortion complaints from Oregonians coming in through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and these complaints have a few new twists. The fraudster attaches a document or photo showing what, he says, is his proof. That attachment is likely loaded with malware that will infect your device if you click on it. 

This new scammer also threatens that he will block your access to your device and social media accounts – much like a ransomware attack – if you choose to ignore his warning. And, while bad spelling and syntax are common, these particular messages come with a distinctly English take on things. In particular, the fraudster is using common British words or phrases to describe sex acts as opposed to what you might hear more commonly in the U.S. 

Here are some ways to protect yourself: 

• Don’t?open emails or attachments from unknown?people, and don’t communicate with those who send unsolicited messages.? 

• Don’t?store sensitive or embarrassing photos or information online or on your mobile devices.? 

• Use strong passwords and don’t?use the same password for multiple websites.? 

• Never provide personal information of any sort via email. Be aware that many?fraudulent?emails requesting your personal information appear to be legitimate.? 

• Make sure you have activated the?security settings for social media accounts?and that they are?set at the highest level of protection.? 

• Cover up your camera. Simple piece of colored tape or a sticky note will do the trick. 

Note: the FBI does not condone the payment of online extortion demands as the funds will facilitate continued criminal activity. 

If you are the victim of an online fraud, you should report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at? www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.?? 

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TT- C-19 Funeral Fraud - GRAPHIC - May 18, 2021

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against COVID funeral scams.  

Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) started providing up to $9,000 in reimbursement funds to applicants for each COVID-19 related funeral for which they were responsible. Let’s say you had a parent die, and the death certificate confirms COVID was the cause. You paid for the funeral and have receipts to prove it. You can apply to FEMA for reimbursement.  

If you were responsible for multiple funerals, you can apply for a total of up to $35,500. There are some restrictions in terms of eligibility for the funds, and anyone who is interested in applying should check FEMA.gov for all eligibility requirements (https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance/faq) 

As with any disaster or relief program, scam artists will attempt to take advantage of those most in need. According to FEMA, one particular fraud that is already taking root involves bad actors who offer to help you apply for aid. Note: there is only one way to apply for FEMA’s funeral aid, and that is by calling FEMA directly at 844-684-6333. There is no online application process and no legitimate way that others can apply on your behalf. 

Here’s how to protect yourself: 

• Don’t respond to any third-party offer, email, text message, or social media post offering to help you get aid.  

• Don’t respond to any solicitation that looks like it is from FEMA directly. FEMA will not contact you unless you make the initial call. 

• Never give out personal information – including name, date of birth, Social Security number or other sensitive information – for yourself or for your deceased relative unless you made the call to FEMA and you know you are speaking to a FEMA representative.  

If you believe are a victim of an online scam, you should report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ?www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.?

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