The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) released a statement earlier this week, warning the public that they should be careful against a specific type of telephone scam, where callers pretend to be MPD officers to obtain financial gains.
The department received a number of complaints from locals regarding such calls. The scammers calling victims falsely claim that they are implicated in criminal offenses and federal subpoenas and warrants have been issued against them.
The caller then attempts to extort their victim, asking for a certain amount of money in exchange for “resolving” the issue of a possible legal action.
“We are informing the public that they are not members of the department,” the statement explained. “The Metropolitan Police Department will never solicit anyone for monetary funds.”
According to D.C. police, if you receive a similar phone call, you should:
- 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.
- Don’t travel to any location the caller asked you to go to.
- Call your local police department immediately to report this crime.
And if you have experienced this scam in the District, contact the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov