The FBI is updating a 2022 warning that scammers impersonate law enforcement and government officials over the phone to extort money, reporting nearly 61,000 complaints and more than $1.6 billion in losses since January 2025 — while a separate new FTC alert describes scammers posing as farm equipment dealers to sell tractors that never arrive.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center issued PSA 260917 (September 17, 2026), an update to its March 2022 warning on law enforcement and government impersonation. It reports that between January 2025 and July 2026, IC3 received nearly 61,000 complaints of this scam type, with losses of more than $1.6 billion. Scammers spoof real phone numbers, names, and credentials of agencies including IC3 itself, keep victims on the phone, and demand payment by prepaid card, wire, courier, or cash deposited into a cryptocurrency kiosk.

A Federal Trade Commission consumer alert (September 15, 2026) describes scammers posing as farm equipment dealers, advertising tractors and other machinery on social media or search results at attractive prices. After contact, the buyer receives a purchase agreement and invoice and is asked to wire a deposit or full payment ahead of a scheduled delivery that never happens. The FTC's advice: verify a listing and its contact details independently before sending any money for equipment you have not inspected in person.