TUCSON, AZ — Tucson officials are warning residents about a phone scam involving callers who impersonate City employees and request payment tied to housing assistance programs.
According to officials, scammers are spoofing official City phone numbers and claiming to represent the Housing & Community Development department.
The callers allegedly ask for payment to apply for public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher.
City officials said no department will ever request payment over the phone.
The warning comes as the city’s housing waitlist is closed and no new applications are being accepted.
Officials said scammers may manipulate caller ID so calls appear to come from legitimate City numbers. In some cases, callers may try to create urgency or pressure residents into providing personal or financial information.
Residents are urged not to share banking details, Social Security numbers or payment information with unexpected callers.
The city also warned residents to be cautious of fake websites or links that request payments or financial information tied to housing programs.
“If you receive a suspicious call, it is important you: Hang up immediately,” the city said in its notice. “Do not engage, even if the caller appears to know your name or position.”
Officials said the scam is targeting residents who may be seeking housing assistance and uses official-sounding language to appear credible. Callers may claim payment is required to move forward with an application.
“We appreciate your vigilance in helping protect our community from these types of scams,” the city said.
Residents are advised to end any suspicious calls immediately and contact the City directly through official channels if they have concerns.
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