FTC warns of scammers after NY Mag finance columnist lost $50K in voice phishing hoax

Federal Trade Commissioner Chair Lina Khan warned the public about scammers after a New York Magazine financial advice columnist revealed she handed over $50,000 to a mystery man who claimed to be an agency investigator.

“Being the victim of a scam can be devastating” Khan posted on X.

“Nobody from the FTC will ever give you a badge number, ask you to confirm your Social Security number, ask how much money you have in your bank account, transfer you to a CIA agent, or send you texts out of the blue.”

Khan said Americans lost $2.7 billion last year because of vishing, or voice phishing — where scammers impersonate government agents over the phone…