Are there any ways to identify if someone is really an FBI agent?  Do
they have an equivilent of a police officer's badge number?  Or some
identifying number?  Would asking them what field office they are
assigned to help? I'm just wondering how would confirm the identity of
an FBI agent if, for instance, one called you.  How would you know if
it was a prank call or not?  TIA.

Hi Baerana,

These days, with so many people perpetrating scams, and with
identification cards so easy to create, you're pretty wise to be
asking that question.

I can answer with a little bit of authority, having recently had an
experience with a visit from a related government agency - Treasury
agents. One of my clients called to ask me if some visitors were for
real.

She put them on the phone. I asked them for their names, field office
location, what group they were with, their boss's name and unit phone
number and cell phone number (so I could call them back). Make sure
you ask for all those things.

Next, I went online and looked up their agency's website. In your
case, the FBI. They do show a link to their field offices, with direct
phone numbers.
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/info.htm

I proceeded to call around until I found the right investigative unit.
It may take you a couple of calls, or transfers within the field
office. Ask for the supervisor or duty officer. Ask the supervisor to
tell you if s/he has anyone in the field in the area in question. Ask
the supervisor to provide their names. Surprisingly, he did.

Despite what you see in movies and on television, FBI agents will not
come busting down your door or push their way in without your
permission. Unless it's a matter of immediate life or death, they
still have to follow the law.

And if you stand your ground, they will give you all the time you need
to read their ID's, make your calls (while they wait outside), and
verify who they are. If they don't, most likely, they are not real
Feds.

I've had enough experience with IRS folk to know - they will try to
bully you, but will stop immediately if you know they are not
permitted to do so - and if you object firmly, but politely.

Never get into a yelling match with them. Don't throw insults at them.
And never, never push or touch a Fed or government agent.

Incidentally, if they are not willing to tell you who they are, or
what field office they're from, let me make a suggestion.

1) Don't use the phone on which you got the call. Or let anyone in
your house use it. (You don't want to lose the *69 trace.)

2) Use a cell phone, or phone next door to call the cops or the FBI
and ask them to come out and use *69 to retrieve the call.

If someone is making calls like that in your area, law enforcement
will want to know.

I do hope this helps. 

Your TaxMama-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by taxmama-ga on 21 Sep 2002 18:05 PDT

Dear Baerana, 

Yes, they do have Identification Numbers. 

I am not certain if those numbers appear
on the badge, though. 

They will appear on their identification cards.

Best wishes,

Your TaxMama-ga

Nice, clear answer.  Very helpful.  I'm still not 100% sure if there
is a "badge number" or other ID number for FBI agents or not, but
between the expert and the commenters, I have enough information. 
Thanks for the help!!

Hello,
If the contact was made over the phone I would suggest asking what
field office the agent was assigned to and ask for the phone number 
and name of the agent's supervisor to verify the identity of the
agent.   If you suspect some elaborate prank , you could call to
request the phone number of the field office from directory assistance
and call that phone number to ask for the agent or his supervisor.  
FBI agents do carry badges with photo identity  but I am not sure if
the Bureau identifies agents by badge number.  It would not hurt to
ask for a badge number and if the agent supplies a number then you
could verify  this information when you call the field office.  Hope
this helps.

Hello baerana-ga.  I have a friend who is an FBI agent in the Houston
office (narcotics and organized crime division).  I tried to call him
this morning to ask if there was some definitive way to verify an
agent.  Unfortunately he was not in and I have to take my son to his
baseball game this morning.  If you don't have an answer later this
afternoon I'll let you know what I find out.

Here are two FAQs from the FBI site which may help in your
understanding:

If a crime is committed that is a violation of local, state, and
federal laws, does the FBI "take over" the investigation?

No. State and local law enforcement agencies are not subordinate to
the FBI, and the FBI does not supervise or usurp their investigations.
However, through cooperation, the investigative resources of the FBI
and state and local agencies often are pooled in a common effort to
investigate and solve the cases. In fact, many task forces composed of
FBI Special Agents and state and local officers have been formed to
locate fugitives and to address serious, recurring crime such as
terrorism and street violence.

What type of applicants does the FBI investigate?

The FBI conducts background investigations on all persons who apply
for employment with the FBI. Additionally, the FBI conducts background
investigations for certain other government entities, such as the
White House, Department of Justice, Administrative Office of the U.S.
Courts, and certain House and Senate committees.

Field Office list
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/info.htm