Criminals have been calling residents posing as police officers to extort money from them, DC police warned in a scam alert released on Thursday.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), multiple phone scams have been reported to them, where callers impersonated members of MPD and falsely claimed that the victim would face criminal legal action if they refused to pay a certain amount of money.
Suspects reportedly threatened their victims with federal subpoenas and warrants that they asserted were issued against them.
“We are informing the public that they are not members of the department,” the Department said in the release, ensuring the public that MPD would never solicit anyone for monetary funds.
In case you receive such an unsolicited phone call, here is what DC police advise:
- Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action.
- Don’t engage in any conversation, as scammers may record your response.
- Don’t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.
- Don’t send money if a caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card or gift card.
- Don’t travel to any location the caller asked you to go to. Instead, call your local police department immediately to report this crime.
Individuals are encouraged to contact the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at (202) 727-4159 or mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov, if they have been a victim of this scam.