The Takoma Park Police Department is warning residents about a scam involving callers claiming to be from the police department.
Department personnel have received multiple reports about callers falsely claiming to represent the department and using the department’s actual phone number in an attempt to deceive residents.
On Wednesday, a resident reported receiving a call from a person falsely identifying themselves as a Takoma Park police officer. The scammer claimed there was a warrant out for the victim’s arrest due to drugs allegedly found in a vehicle registered to him in Texas, according to police.
Several inconsistencies in the scammer’s story raised red flags, leading the resident to contact police.
Takoma police officials said they do not call residents to demand payment or threaten arrest over the phone.
Residents are warned not to provide any personal information, but rather just to hang up immediately and report the incident to police. Never share sensitive information including Social Security, bank or credit card numbers.
According to police, scammers tend to use high-pressure tactics, including threats of arrests or demands for immediate payment to create a sense of urgency.
The department encourages residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious calls to the department at 301-270-1100.
