FBI steps in amid rash of politically charged swattings

A spate of high-profile swatting incidents in the US recently forced the FBI into action with its latest awareness campaign about the occasionally deadly practice.

The feds issued guidance on how members of the public can protect themselves from swatting, describing the action of making hoax phone calls or emails reporting serious crimes to law enforcement, giving an innocent person's name, address, and other info to the authorities in the process.

The tactic is used by criminals of many flavors – from pranksters looking to cause mischief to those with the intent to seriously harm or intimidate.

Although the Feds didn't specify any swatting incidents, referring to them only generally, it can be assumed that among them are recent attacks on conservative media pundits as well as on the family home of a murdered Texas athlete.

Podcasters Nick Sortor and Shawn Farash both reported swattings at their own or ...