US Marshals warning Virginians of scam spoofing official phone numbers: 'Becoming more prevalent'

A news release says the scammers are spoofing the district office's real phone numbers to trick people into sending money, which is known as "neighbor spoofing."

Offices from the Eastern District of Virginia are receiving calls from people asking why the Marshals are requesting money from them, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Stalnaker of the Eastern District of Virginia. We want people to know these calls are scams.

The news release says that during the calls, scammers are asking to collect a fine so that victims can avoid arrest for failing to report to jury duty or other offenses. The scammers then tell the victims they can avoid arrest by purchasing a store gift card or prepaid debit card and read the card number over the phone.

The scammers have also reportedly been asking for crypt