Palm Springs Police Warn Residents About Recent Phone Scam

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Palm Springs police alerted residents about a phone scam involving criminals posing as police officers to steal money.

Palm Springs police announced on Tuesday they received multiple reports of scammers telling residents they face possible arrest, an outstanding warrant, unpaid traffic fines, or missed jury duty, to compel them to send money.

"One of the best ways to protect yourself is to recognize urgency. If someone is pressuring you to act immediately, preventing you from hanging up, or threatening immediate arrest unless you pay, it’s almost certainly a scam," Palms Springs police said.

Police said the scammers may "spoof" a phone number using real names of police officers. They may even provide a fake badge number or a case number to make their call seem legitimate.

Police warned scammers have been known to tell residents to pay them with gift cards, Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer.

Police advised callers to stay calm, hang up, find the agency's phone number and contact the department directly to report the incident.