Phone Scam Circulating In Hoover: Police

HOOVER, AL — A new phone scam has been making its rounds through Hoover, police say. This particular scam involves the caller warning the victim of a warrant for arrest or legal trouble in an attempt to get money from the victim.

"The incoming caller ID being spoofed either as a legitimate Hoover government agency number, a local 205 area code, or private number," a report from the Hoover Police Department said. "The scam involves the caller saying that you possibly have pending criminal charges and/or a warrant for your arrest. They will try to scare you and obtain personal information, or otherwise send them payment over the phone to 'take care of' the warrant."

Hoover police urge citizens not to fall for this, as police do not conduct business like that over the phone.

The Hoover PD offered some helpful tips in dealing with phone scams:

• Simply hang up. (if they give you a call back number, DON’T call it back!)
• Never give personal information (even your phone number) to a stranger over the phone (on received calls).
• Never send money, gift card information, itunes card information, or ANY other type of payment to a stranger over the phone.
• If you have questions about the call, hang up and call a family member or trusted friend so you can ask their opinion. You can also call Hoover PD Dispatch non-emergency at 205-822-5300.
• If they say you have a warrant, contact Hoover Municipal Court directly to verify: http://www.hooveral.org/237/Recall-Procedure
• You can report scam phone calls directly to the FTC at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1
• You can also report to the federal Treasury Inspector General: https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml