Walnut Creek Police: Man Impersonating Police Officer

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A man pretending to be a Walnut Creek Police officer is trying to get gift cards from people, prompting the police department to issue a scam alert.

Police say the man is using the name of a real police officer and phoning his intended victims.

Police say the man tells his intended victims that they need to "pay off fines with gift cards." Police say "the caller is very courteous and polite over the phone."

But you should just hang up if you receive one of the calls.

WCPD said in the alert, "No police agency would ever try to settle bail or fines over the phone in this manner, nor would they request money or gift cards from you over the phone. Please do not fall prey to these types of scams, do not give financial information out over the phone, and never buy a gift card to settle any sort of debt or fee."