WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — The FBI put out a statement on Friday that suggested more people were receiving offensive spam texts, but that this time different groups were being targeted.
Below is their full statement:
“The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to African American and Black communities around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter. The reports are not identical and vary in their specific language, but many say the recipient has been selected to pick cotton on a plantation.
The text message recipients have now expanded to high school students, as well as both the Hispanic and LGBTQIA+ communities. Some recipients reported being told they were selected for deportation or to report to a re-education camp. The messages have also been reported as being received via email communication.
Although we have not received reports of violent acts stemming from these offensive messages, we are evaluating all reported incidents and engaging with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. We are also sharing information with our law enforcement partners and community, academia, and faith leaders.
Recipients of messages consistent with those described are encouraged to report the details to the FBI by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.
As always, we encourage members of the public to remain vigilant and report threats of violence or anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement immediately, call their local FBI office, or submit a report to tips.fbi.gov.”
The first racist spam texts were sent out the day after the election, and one of our 13News Now photographers received one.
RELATED: Yes, racist text messages telling people to report to plantations to pick cotton are real
A local cybersecurity expert suggested a data broker may be to blame for the texts, since they collect and sell people’s personal data.
Although these individuals can steal your information, the cybersecurity expert said the best way to protect yourself is to change your passwords frequently, use websites like delete me to clear your data online, and be careful about where and to who you share your information.