WASHINGTON — The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) says scammers are impersonating police officers to target unsuspecting members of the public.
MPD says the scammers are calling people and telling them they are at risk of imminent arrest. The scammer then asks for additional confidential information, or advises people to turn themselves into police as an alternative.
The MPD says its officers will never solicit anyone for monetary funds, bank information or social security numbers. If you suspect you have been targeted by a scammer, the MPD recommends the following actions:
- Don’t feel pressured to act. Scammers can have some public information about you (like your name, address), but that does not mean they are legitimate. You can verify if the caller is legitimate by contacting the appropriate agency directly using customer service information on their public websites.
- Do not share your credit card number, personal information, or other financial information with anyone claiming to be an MPD officer on the phone. Do not wire transfer money or transfer funds to anyone you do not know.
- Share the scam alert with others. By informing your friends and family members about the scam, you can help protect your loved ones and community.
