Will the FBI leave a message?

Will the FBI Leave a Message?

Being contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) can be an intimidating and stressful experience. If you miss a call or attempt at contact from the FBI, a natural question is whether they will leave a voicemail, callback request, or other message.

In most scenarios, the FBI will not leave any detailed messages due to the sensitive nature of their investigations and operations. However, they may call again or send a letter requesting contact.

No Detailed Voicemails

If you miss a phone call from the FBI, they will not leave a voicemail message containing specific details about why they are contacting you^[1]. This avoids potentially tipping off suspects about investigations.

At most, a generic voicemail may ask you to return the call to the FBI agent or office number.

Follow-Up Contact Attempts

If the FBI needs to reach you regarding an important matter like an interview request or subpoena delivery, they will often make multiple attempts by phone and possibly in person^[2].

However, they will generally not provide sensitive case details in any messages left or on your caller ID.

Letters as Official Contact

In situations where the FBI needs to formally notify you of something significant, they will typically send a letter via registered mail rather than rely on phone messages^[3].

Examples are target letters informing you that you are under investigation or grand jury subpoenas requesting documents or testimony.

Undercover Operations

In some undercover operations, an FBI agent may leave a voicemail or callback number as part of their covert activities^[4].

However, in those scenarios the agent will not reveal their FBI affiliation and will pose as someone else.

Third Party Contacts

If unable to reach you directly, the FBI may contact third parties like your employer, family members, or friends to pass along a message requesting you contact the FBI^[5].

However, they will generally not disclose sensitive details about the nature of the contact through these third parties.

When in Doubt, Call the FBI Office

If you receive any communication purportedly from the FBI that seems suspicious or unclear, you can always call the FBI field office directly to verify it^[6].

It is better to err on the side of caution when dealing with potential FBI contacts.

Conclusion

While the FBI may make repeated contact attempts, they will not leave detailed voicemails or messages that could compromise investigations. Their formal notifications come via registered letters or eventually in-person contact if needed.

How the FBI Initiates Investigations

The FBI can start investigations through various means, including^[1]:

• Receiving tips or complaints about potential crimes
• Being referred cases from state or local law enforcement
• Proactively identifying potential threats through intelligence gathering
• Obtaining evidence of criminal activity through undercover operations

FBI agents have broad latitude to open investigations, even if no crime has technically been committed yet.

Use of Informants and Surveillance

To build investigations, the FBI relies heavily on ^[2]:

• Informants and cooperating witnesses
• Undercover agents and operations
• Electronic surveillance through wiretaps and monitoring
• Physical surveillance and monitoring

However, use of these investigative techniques is governed by strict Department of Justice regulations and oversight.

Obtaining Warrants

For particularly intrusive measures, the FBI must obtain warrants approved by courts, including ^[3]:

• Search warrants to enter and search property
• Arrest warrants to detain individuals
• FISA warrants for foreign intelligence surveillance

The legal requirements for warrants aim to protect constitutional rights.

Coordinating with Federal Prosecutors

To bring criminal charges resulting from investigations, the FBI works with ^[4]:

• U.S. Attorneys offices in each federal district
• The Criminal Division of the Department of Justice
• Assistant U.S. Attorneys tasked to specific cases

These federal prosecutors ultimately decide which cases will be charged criminally.