Police 911 Call Center 'Spoofed' in Palos Park

PALOS PARK, IL -- Palos Park police received numerous reports during Tuesday and early Wednesday morning from residents who received what turned out to be fake phone calls from the police department’s 911 center. Residents said their caller ID indicated the calls were coming from the Southwest Central Dispatch Center, which handles emergency calls for Palos Park and many other communities.

According to Chief Joe Miller, the 911 center’s phone number was “spoofed” Tuesday eveing. Caller ID spoofing is the process of changing the caller ID to any number other than the true calling number. Spoofing is a tactic used by telemarketers, bill collectors and criminal enterprises.

One resident reported receiving a robo-call from “SWCD” wanting her to buy a timeshare. The police chief wants everyone to know that SWCD is aware their number was spoofed. As of Wednesday evening, Miller said the police department has has not received any more reports of residents receiving robo calls for timeshares from SWCD