FBI Issues Advice on 'Swatting' Threat Across US
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.
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.
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