Scammers Calling Los Altos Residents Claiming To Be Local Cops: Los Altos Police

LOS ALTOS, CA -- Police said Wednesday that phone scammers targeting the South Bay over the last several days are pretending to be officers from the Los Altos Police Department.

The suspects are presumed to be using a "spoofing device," allowing them to use fake caller ID information that indicates the call is coming from "Los Altos PD 650-947-2770."

Once on the phone, the suspects pretend to be police officers and "suggest" that their target's name is "associated with an identity theft crime," police said.

So far, no one has reported falling for the hoax or experiencing any financial loss as a result. Still, Los Altos police are advising the public to remember that the department does not call residents to solicit money.

Even if the scammers use a name recognizable as that of an officer of the Los Altos Police Department, residents are advised to not believe them if the caller asks for personal or financial information. Instead, people should just hang up.

Anyone in doubt about a call from a Los Alto police officer is encouraged to verify the officer's identity by calling 650-947-2770.

By Bay City News Service

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