Can USCIS or ICE call you to let you know 'someone' has accused you of fraud, and let you know that 'they are sending an officer to detain you?'

[Mrs. DPK 66]

I received a call today from a person that said his name is 'Ryan Reese.' He identified himself as someone calling from USCIS to inform me about this supposed complaint against me/my case. Then he asked if the embassy had tried to contact me (I haven't interacted with the US Embassy based in my country since 2018 when I moved here.)

 

The only reason I picked up this call is because my iPhone showed the caller ID as 'US GOVT DEPT OF.' Later, I researched the number 313-568-6049. It appears that this is ICE's number. So this is the 1st contradictory information: Why would this person identify themself as an USCIS employee, if they are calling for ICE? 

 

The tone and manners of the person didn't seem professional either. He kept arguing saying 'You don't understand the severity of how this can affect your immigration case' and towards the end of the call he even declare 'I'll be sending an officer to your address today.' I decided to not volunteer any information, I kept asking for a letter or a ticket # to call back later (I was in the middle of my workday.)

 

I'm still startled by this conversation. But I know there isn't anything wrong with my case and/or relationship with my husband. However, I would like to hear if someone has received this kind of call. Or, if they call before being visited by ICE.

 

 

[Boiler 43,430]

Sounds very odd, why there be a complaint anyway?

[Mrs. DPK 66]

30 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Sounds very odd, why there be a complaint anyway?

In all honesty my husband and I don’t have any red flags. I can only think that someone is targeting me for some revenge.

 

It’s still scary. But thanks for the reply Boiler.

[Ayrton 965]

2 hours ago, Mrs. DPK said:

I received a call today from a person that said his name is 'Ryan Reese.' He identified himself as someone calling from USCIS to inform me about this supposed complaint against me/my case. Then he asked if the embassy had tried to contact me (I haven't interacted with the US Embassy based in my country since 2018 when I moved here.)

 

The only reason I picked up this call is because my iPhone showed the caller ID as 'US GOVT DEPT OF.' Later, I researched the number 313-568-604. It appears that this is ICE's number. So this is the 1st contradictory information: Why would this person identify themself as an USCIS employee, if they are calling for ICE? 

 

The tone and manners of the person didn't seem professional either. He kept arguing saying 'You don't understand the severity of how this can affect your immigration case' and towards the end of the call he even declare 'I'll be sending an officer to your address today.' I decided to not volunteer any information, I kept asking for a letter or a ticket # to call back later (I was in the middle of my workday.)

 

I'm still startled by this conversation. But I know there isn't anything wrong with my case and/or relationship with my husband. However, I would like to hear if someone has received this kind of call. Or, if they call before being visited by ICE.

 

 

It might be a caller ID spoofing case. They spoof the real phone number so it makes it seem like the real place is calling you.

 

When USCIS calls people, at least from field offices, the number shows as blocked so they can't call back. And when a tier 2 officer called me once, it showed a random number that's not available on their website and I couldn't call back. 

[Mrs. DPK 66]

1 hour ago, Ayrton said:

It might be a caller ID spoofing case. They spoof the real phone number so it makes it seem like the real place is calling you.

 

When USCIS calls people, at least from field offices, the number shows as blocked so they can't call back. And when a tier 2 officer called me once, it showed a random number that's not available on their website and I couldn't call back. 

Phew that’s reassuring. Thanks!

[KAP2019 184]

And I'm pretty sure ICE doesn't give people a heads-up before they come to your house. 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

On 3/12/2021 at 4:10 PM, Mrs. DPK said:

I received a call today from a person that said his name is 'Ryan Reese.' He identified himself as someone calling from USCIS to inform me about this supposed complaint against me/my case. Then he asked if the embassy had tried to contact me (I haven't interacted with the US Embassy based in my country since 2018 when I moved here.)

 

The only reason I picked up this call is because my iPhone showed the caller ID as 'US GOVT DEPT OF.' Later, I researched the number 313-568-6049. It appears that this is ICE's number. So this is the 1st contradictory information: Why would this person identify themself as an USCIS employee, if they are calling for ICE? 

 

The tone and manners of the person didn't seem professional either. He kept arguing saying 'You don't understand the severity of how this can affect your immigration case' and towards the end of the call he even declare 'I'll be sending an officer to your address today.' I decided to not volunteer any information, I kept asking for a letter or a ticket # to call back later (I was in the middle of my workday.)

 

I'm still startled by this conversation. But I know there isn't anything wrong with my case and/or relationship with my husband. However, I would like to hear if someone has received this kind of call. Or, if they call before being visited by ICE.

 

 

Um did he sound like maybe he might have been in a cubie in Bangalore?

[Villanelle 4,121]

On 3/12/2021 at 5:10 PM, Mrs. DPK said:

 

 

The tone and manners of the person didn't seem professional either. He kept arguing saying 'You don't understand the severity of how this can affect your immigration case' and towards the end of the call he even declare 'I'll be sending an officer to your address today.' I decided to not volunteer any information, I kept asking for a letter or a ticket # to call back later (I was in the middle of my workday.)

 

 

I am sorry this happened to you. You did the right thing by refusing to volunteer any information. Its very important to NEVER- NEVER EVER give someone calling you any personal info like confirming DOB or SSN or A#. Any one calling from a legitimate agency or office will give you their contact # (which you verify before dialing it back) and their ID#/ full name (which again you can verify when calling back). Unfortunately there are often data breaches in which scammers buy a list of names and phone numbers and then 'go fishing'. They either attempt to gather additional info from you like SSNs to then use for identity theft or fraud -or- the phone call suddenly turns into- 'I can make this go away if you pay a 'fine' of X dollars, give me your credit card number or even worse- buy a prepaid card and give me the numbers off it.' !!!! 🙄 It seems somehow you got on this list so I would suggest doing a basic security check - change passwords, scan your devices for malware, etc. You can also report the call to the FCC- https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing They also have general info on how to avoid being a victim of a spoofed call.

[Mrs. DPK 66]

14 hours ago, Nitas_man said:

Um did he sound like maybe he might have been in a cubie in Bangalore?

Haha! There were no background noises that would make me suspect. But the guy had an accent— Though I'm sure there are foreigners that could work for USCIS (I don't know about ICE).

[Mrs. DPK 66]

5 hours ago, Villanelle said:

I am sorry this happened to you. You did the right thing by refusing to volunteer any information. Its very important to NEVER- NEVER EVER give someone calling you any personal info like confirming DOB or SSN or A#. Any one calling from a legitimate agency or office will give you their contact # (which you verify before dialing it back) and their ID#/ full name (which again you can verify when calling back). Unfortunately there are often data breaches in which scammers buy a list of names and phone numbers and then 'go fishing'. They either attempt to gather additional info from you like SSNs to then use for identity theft or fraud -or- the phone call suddenly turns into- 'I can make this go away if you pay a 'fine' of X dollars, give me your credit card number or even worse- buy a prepaid card and give me the numbers off it.' !!!! 🙄 It seems somehow you got on this list so I would suggest doing a basic security check - change passwords, scan your devices for malware, etc. You can also report the call to the FCC- https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing They also have general info on how to avoid being a victim of a spoofed call.

Thank you, Villanelle. I appreciate the words of concern. This was the 1st time I was targeted in such way while trying to take advantage of my situation as a foreigner. I feel better now, phew.

 

I'll get to work on updating all my pws as you suggest. I didn't think of it until now.

[Nitas_man 3,100]

16 minutes ago, Mrs. DPK said:

Haha! There were no background noises that would make me suspect. But the guy had an accent— Though I'm sure there are foreigners that could work for USCIS (I don't know about ICE).

They got a scam going.  The “send officers out to your house” trick is the same one their IRS scammers use.  My joy in life is get ‘em on the hook and waste every moment I can of their time.

 

I’m sure Hugh Jass and other made up names are on their do not call list.  Pity too.  It’s fun.

 

Never give out a single true detail about yourself on a phone call like that.  

Edited March 14, 2021 by Nitas_man

[mindthegap 2,521]

Sounds like a scam to me. Caller ID is not hard to spoof.

 

When my unhinged ex-spouse made a false allegation to USCIS after we had separated, they didn't tell me about it until the I-751 denial letter - almost two years later.

They flat out lied to my face in the interview & did not tell me about it or give me an opportunity to refute it, and at multiple infopass appointments when I specifically asked if there was some sort of problem with my case or my ex spouse that was causing such lengthy delays they said no. 

 

I doubt they would be calling you to give you a heads up - they would investigate quietly, then write to schedule some sort of interview/take action if necessary. 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2021 by mindthegap

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

On 3/12/2021 at 4:56 PM, Ayrton said:

When USCIS calls people, at least from field offices, the number shows as blocked so they can't call back.

Not necessarily. I have had a call from our FO (that i know for a fact was genuine) that showed a local number, but it’s not a number you can call back (I don’t recall exactly what happened when I tried, but I couldn’t get through).

 

However I do agree with the comments above that caller ID is easy to spoof, and that this sounds like odd behavior for a genuine investigation and is more likely a scam.