Oklahoma Woman Targeted By Aggressive FBI Email Scam

Without a doubt, technology has changed the way we live. But, it's also changed the way scammers try to take our money.

Fake organizations send emails asking for your information have now evolved to imposters of real organizations. These fake emails are called Impostor Scams. The Federal Trade Commission reports these scams have been on the rise since 2010, even affecting people right here in Oklahoma.

"I check it daily, several times a day before I go to work," said Debi Leitz, who was target by the email scam. "I'm usually on it or Facebook or both.

Just like for many of us, checking email has become routine. One day while scrolling through her inbox Leitz discovered one email that stood out from the others.

"I kind of freaked out a little bit," she said.

The email was allegedly from the director of the FBI. When Debi didn't respond they kept coming, each one more threatening than the last.

"I've never seen one quite to this magnitude," said Leitz.

Even though the email had the address and Department of the FBI, the sender also demanded she pay $150 to an account in Nigeria. And if not, she will be tried in court for an act of terrorism.

"I feel threatened by it, I really do," she said. "I'm just trying to make a living like everyone else."

But she knew the threat wasn't real and that her FBI demand was a scam. One that Blake Patterson of The Three Geeks knows all too well.

"It's just gone out of control," said Patterson.

Patterson has seen an increase of these scams in just the last six months.

"For a free download or a free game and you have to insert your email address, there's a high probability you will be marked for spam," Patterson said.

Leitz is just relieved she didn't fall for this spam, this time.

"It's scary, it really is," she said. "My kids are on Facebook and Yahoo and I don't want them to be attacked like I've been."

And if you do get emails, just mark them as spam. The Imposter Scams actually rank fourth on the Federal Trade Commission's list of complaints. The FTC recommends reporting any scam emails you may have received.