(KRON) – Scammers are spoofing the Gilroy Police Department’s phone number to swindle residents, authorities announced on social media on Saturday.
“Gilroy, we’ve received several calls from concerned community members today that scammers are spoofing the Gilroy Police Department’s phone number pretending to be us,” said the department.
Gilroy PD said officers would never contact residents inquiring about payment or personal information. “We will also never tell you that if you do not pay, we will issue a warrant for your arrest,” according to police.
The department asked residents to hang up the phone immediately and call Gilroy PD at 408-846-0350 to verify.
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The Federal Trade Commission issued a statement earlier this month to inform the public that the spoofing authorities scam is common. Frequently, these scammers would tell the person they have called that they have confiscated a package with your name on it. It’s filled with money, illegal drugs, or weapons, and you’ll be arrested unless you pay a fine, per the FTC.
The FTC also says spoofers have used actual officers’ names in this scam.
Here are the suggestions for the people who are being spoofed:
- Real law enforcement officers won’t call to say you’re going to be arrested (or threaten to arrest you if you hang up).
- Real law enforcement officers won’t call to insist that you pay fines by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, or a wire transfer service — and never as a way to buy your way out of a “crime.”
Source:: News San Francisco – KRON 4
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