Takoma Park Police warn residents of an arrest warrant scam involving a caller claiming to be an officer with the department.
Police have received multiple recent reports of scammers falsely claiming to represent the Takoma Park Police Department and using the department’s actual phone number to deceive residents.
“Earlier today, we were alerted by a resident who reported receiving a call from a person falsely identifying themselves as a Takoma Park Police officer,” police spokesperson Cathy Plevy said Tuesday. “The scammer claimed that there was a warrant out for his arrest due to drugs allegedly found in a vehicle registered to him in Texas. Several inconsistencies in the scammer’s story raised red flags, leading the resident to contact us.”
Fortunately, the resident did not provide any personal information to the caller.
“The Takoma Park Police Department reminds the community that we will never call residents to demand payment or threaten arrest over the phone,” Plevy said. “If you receive a similar call, do not provide any personal information. Instead, hang up immediately and report the incident to us.”
The Takoma Park Police Department has received multiple reports from concerned residents about a scam involving individuals impersonating police officers. The scammers are falsely claiming to represent the Takoma Park Police Department and using the department's actual phone… pic.twitter.com/a074W95qHu
— Takoma Park Police (@TakomaParkPD) September 11, 2024
Police provided the following tips to help you protect yourself from scams:
- Do not provide personal information: Never share sensitive information such as your Social Security number, bank details, or credit card numbers over the phone.
- Verify the caller: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call the Takoma Park Police Department directly at (301) 270-1100 to verify its legitimacy.
- Look for red flags: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics, such as threats of arrest or demands for immediate payment, to create urgency.
Residents should report suspicious calls to the Federal Trade Commission and the Takoma Park Police Department at (301) 270-1100.
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