Ongoing Threats of Swatting and Indicators for Community Members

How it works

The scammer calls 911 or local law enforcement and claims you have a weapon, hostage, or bomb at your address. The caller spoofs a phone number to hide their identity. Police arrive in force, putting you, your family, or your staff in danger. The scammer may demand payment to stop future calls, or do it for harassment.

Red flags to watch for

• Unexpected armed police response to your address with no prior report from you
• Caller claims to know your address and phone number but you do not know them
• Threat to send police unless you pay money or comply with a demand
• Police say they received a report from your number that you did not make
• Multiple emergency calls to your address in a short time period

What to do

Do not panic or resist when police arrive; comply with their instructions and explain calmly that you did not make the emergency call. After the incident, file a report with local law enforcement and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov). If you receive a call threatening to swat you, do not pay and report it to 911 and the FBI. Document all threats and save evidence (call logs, messages, emails).