FBI Issues Advice on 'Swatting' Threat Across US
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning Americans about the dangers of "swatting."
Swatting is the criminal practice of calling law enforcement, for example a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to someone's house in order to harass or intimidate them.
The FBI has been contacted via email outside of working hours for further comment.
SWAT officers gain entry during a simulated domestic disturbance in the Travertine model home, San Francisco.
SWAT officers gain entry during a simulated domestic disturbance in the Travertine model home, San Francisco.
Paul Chinn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
Why It Matters
Swatting exploits emergency response systems, leaving them less available to do their jobs. Additionally, raids from SWAT teams and other forms of armed law enforcement can result in loss of life and PTSD for those whose house was raided.
There is a case in front of the Supreme Court this week, Martin v. United States, suing the federal government over physical and psychological damage incurred by a SWAT team. This case does not involve the practice of swatting but demonstrates the harm that can be done by a SWAT team raiding an incorrect house.
What To Know
Although the FBI has said it is "aware of multiple recent 'swatting' incidents" targeting a wide range of individuals and institutions, the most high profile swatting incidents over the past few months have been instances of right-wing influencers becoming swatting targets.
In mid-March, FBI Director Kash Patel said he was investigating swatting calls after noting an uptick in conservative media figures saying they were targeted by them.
Conservative media show hosts Joe Pagliarulo of The Joe Pags Show, Shawn Farash of UNGOVERNED, and commentator Nick Sortor have all said they are swatting victims.
Sortor has said he believes sending a SWAT team to his house is essentially "attempted murder."
This week's advisory says "threat actors" use various tools and tactics to facilitate swatting. They "compile sensitive information from a wide range of publicly available sources, including online accounts," and often employ spoofing technology to hide their identities, according to the FBI. This may involve falsifying the origin of calls or messages to make it appear as though a threat is coming from the intended swatting victim.
The FBI has urged the public to take proactive steps to protect themselves. Recommendations include reviewing one's digital footprint for sensitive data, limiting the sharing of personal content online, using strong and unique passwords, and enabling multifactor authentication on accounts and smart devices.
While the FBI is warning people about the dangers of sending a SWAT team to the wrong house, the government argued in front of the Supreme Court on April 29 that "government agents are not liable for acts within their federal duties."
Meaning, the government believes that law enforcement should not be held responsible for any damage incurred during a SWAT raid—regardless of if the raid was in the wrong house or the result of a hoax.
What People Are Saying
The FBI said in its advisory on Tuesday: "Swatting is the malicious tactic of making hoax calls or reports to emergency services, typically feigning an immediate threat to life. Swatting is intended to draw a large response from SWAT teams or other law enforcement resources to an unsuspecting victim's location, causing chaos and the potential for injury or violence."
FBI Director Kash Patel on X (formerly Twitter): "Swatting is not a prank—it's a crime that puts lives at risk. My team and I are already taking action to hold perpetrators accountable. This has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with public safety. We won't tolerate the weaponization of law enforcement."
Swatting is not a prank—it's a crime that puts lives at risk.
My team and I are already taking action to hold perpetrators accountable. This has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with public safety.
We won't tolerate the weaponization of law enforcement. https://t.co/jZPPzGnq1r — FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 29, 2025
What Happens Next
Anyone who suspects they are a victim of swatting is advised to remain calm and cooperate fully with responding officers, the FBI advises. Victims should preserve any related information, including usernames, email addresses, platforms or messages associated with the incident.
Swatting attempts and hoaxes should be reported immediately to local law enforcement. For nonemergency reports or to provide tips, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
7 minutes ago
- Newsweek
JD Vance Told Volodymyr Zelensky to 'Behave' During Oval Office Meeting
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News' Laura Ingraham that he greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a "little icebreaker" during his visit to the White House this week. Vance said on The Ingraham Angle, "President Zelensky walked into the Oval Office, and I was chatting with him, and the president [Trump] and some of the senior Ukrainian delegation. I said, Mr. President, so as long as you behave, I won't say anything. And he just chuckled a little bit, and it was a good little icebreaker." During a February Oval Office meeting, President Trump and Vance abruptly confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, culminating in a public shouting match and the cancellation of a signed minerals deal after Zelensky was called "disrespectful" and escorted out of the White House. The meeting—which had initially been intended to formalize U.S. support for Ukraine—collapsed entirely, with lunch and a joint press conference scrapped amid the dramatic fallout. Vance: Zelenskyy walked into the oval office. I was chatting with him… I said Mr. President, so long as you behave, I won't say anything. It was a good little icebreaker — Acyn (@Acyn) August 20, 2025 This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
New York Post
8 minutes ago
- New York Post
To understand Russians, try catching a ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre
He's Putin on the ritz To try to understand a land which birthed a Putin, I went back to my old notes. I have been to Russia several times. A taxi, empty, cruised past, slowly, repeatedly, then grudgingly stopped. In English, the cabbie said: 'We must take foreign language in school. Still, we avoid anyone who looks American. They're trouble. They carry little conversation dictionaries but Americans we never understand. Talk too fast. 'Impatient. When you can't understand they bang you on the back — and you hit yourself against the wheel. Always they get mad. One threw hands around, pointed to where he wanted to go and his arm crossed my face. I couldn't see to drive. Dangerous. Americans are much trouble.' The Bolshoi Theatre got me into a personal cold war. They make you remove your coat before entering. I was freezing. It was chilly outside and inside. Also, my nose was running. Me walking to my seat, he then trotted out from his booth. This Gardes Des Robes tugged at my lapel. I tried sign language. He did physical language. As I headed for my seat he physically barred my way. A shivering lady comrade who'd doffed her wrap explained: 'People here are used to authority. You obey automatically.' Another said, 'We are on a cultural level. The sold-out Kremlin opera seats 6,000, Tchaikovsky Hall has nightly musical concerts. Also the Central Puppet Theatre, Operetta Theatre, Children's Theatre and 27 other Moscow theatres, including the Bolshoi, which was founded in 1776. And for three rubles [less than a dollar], I can sit in the seat which once held the czar.' She comes here how often? Her answer: 'This the first time.' On the outside, pleasant. Inside, something else. Crumple a Kleenex in your luggage. It's crumpled differently upon your return. Hotel elevators delist two floors. Reportedly, it's where the hotel held the building's wire tap equipment. Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Showers without curtains. Sinks minus stoppers. Room service that doesn't answer. I myself brought in a chicken sandwich and cup of hot chocolate. Two days later a chicken sandwich and candy bar were on my bed. The manageress: 'Our new hotel will have 6,000 rooms. Equipped with every modern facility.' Me: 'Will it have a swimming pool?' She: 'Certainly not. But it will have a concert hall.' 'Hotels have reasonable rates. Wish entertainment — you pay extra.' I asked if she vacations with her husband. 'No. I go separately. To the Crimeas. Sochi in the Black Sea where many of the presidium go.' I also asked famed Russian circus clown Popov if he gets a percentage of all the Popov dolls sold. Answer? 'Nyet.' Does his contract guarantee special dressing room and dresser in attendance? 'Nyet.' How then can you tell you're a star? 'I have a car.' In the words of Commie Slamdamnhe, there are many nice things about that country. Like parking places. Only problem? They got nothing to park. Only in Putinville, kids, only in Putinville.
UPI
10 minutes ago
- UPI
Vance, Hegseth, Miller laud Guard troops, denounce capital protesters
A Humvee is parked in front of Union Station in Washington as members of the National Guard patrol on Monday after President Donald Trump last week deployed the National Guard to assist in crime prevention. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Aug. 20 (UPI) -- As protesters chanted nearby, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller visited National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday amid what the Trump administration says is a crime crackdown. The three Trump administration officials greeted National Guard troops at the capital's Union Station while positioned near a table containing hamburgers for the troops, PBS News reported. "In just the past nine days, we've seen a 35% reduction in violent crime," Vance told those in attendance. "We've seen over a 50% reduction in robberies," he added. "We're seeing really substantial effects because these guys are busting their a*****." Vance said he wanted to thank the National Guard troops in person and hand out some hamburgers to show his appreciation for their efforts. Hegseth said the National Guard deployments in Washington are needed to ensure residents, visitors and those who work in the capital are safe. "The American people, the residents of D.C., deserve a safe and beautiful city," Hegseth said. "That's our mission." He called the National Guard troops "patriots who serve the country" and want to make Washington a "beautiful, safe capital." The National Guard troops are "proud of this mission" and making sure "law and order is established here in the capital," Hegseth added. He said the Defense Department is providing the resources that the troops need and working with law enforcement partners to ensure safety in Washington. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered and chanted near Union Station, which drew a rebuke from Vance. He said the protesters "hate the idea that Americans can enjoy their communities," according to PBS News. Vance said he went to Union Station with Hegseth and Miller because criminal activity was very high there, which local officials deny. Miller added to Vance's criticism of the protesters by calling them "stupid white hippies" and said they do not represent Washington, D.C.'s residents, The Hill reported. "We are not going to let the communists destroy a great American city, let alone the nation's capital," Miller said. "All these demonstrators you've seen out here in recent days, all these elderly white hippies, they're not part of the city and never have been," Miller said. "We're going to ignore these stupid white hippies that all need to go home and take a nap because they're all over 90 years old," he added. Trump last week put the federal government in control of Washington's Metropolitan Police Department, which has been accused of falsifying crime data. Though Trump administration officials have characterized crime in the city as out of control, in actuality, crime in the district has fallen in recent years or remained flat. An agreement on Friday put the police department under local control, but Trump sought and received National Guard deployments from West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Louisiana. About 1,200 National Guard troops are slated for deployment in the capital, in addition to 800 Washington National Guard troops who already are there, according to The Washington Post.
