‘Phantom hackers’ are targeting people across the US. What the FBI wants you to know

‘Phantom hacker’ scams are on the rise and are disproportionately affecting older people, according to a FBI public service announcement. — Dreamstime/TNS

A growing nationwide scam could target your grandparents, the FBI warns.

“Phantom hacker” scams are on the rise and are disproportionately affecting older people, according to a Sept 29 FBI public service announcement. It’s an “evolution of more general tech support scams”, US federal officials say, as these “phantom hackers” claim to be technology support, bank staff and government officials in order to gain the trust of those they’re scamming.