Deportation text messages a scam

The message says that the recipient has been selected for deportation “at the nearest border” and should be ready “with your belongings,” although the message also ends with, “No personal belongings allowed this is a fresh start” [sic].

Holste said his office began hearing reports of this scam right after the Nov. 5 general election.

On Nov. 15, the FBI National Press Office released a statement, which reads in part: “The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to African American and Black communities around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter … The text message recipients have now expanded to high school students, as well as both the Hispanic and LGBTQIA+ communities. Some recipients reported being told they were selected for deportation or to report to a re-education camp. The messages have also been reported as being received via email communication.”

Holste said in a follow up email that the internet makes it cheap and easy for scammers to make contact from anywhere in the world and shared these tips from the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection agency:

• Keep your phone software current.
• Do not click provided website links.
• Never respond to emails or texts that request personal information.
• Delete anything suspicious (and see if your phone allows you to block numbers).
• Be wary of anything that asks you to act immediately, sounds too good to be true or asks for personal information.

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Una versión en español de esta historia está en línea en www.columbiagorgenews.com/enespanol.

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This story was updated for the Dec. 4 print edition.