Annapolis Police: Beware of Phone Scam, Caller ID Spoofing

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis residents should be on alert for a phone scam in which the caller says he or she is from the Annapolis Police Department and demands payment with the threat of arrest on a warrant.

Police say the caller ID number used by this scam appears as a legitimate Annapolis police office phone number. Caller ID displayed the police department's administrative phone line: 410-268-9000.

The resident was told she had an open warrant and the caller demanded a payment to clear it up. Police say The resident hung up the phone, but authorities worry that others may be fooled.

Officials say this is a type of fraud using Caller ID spoofing.

"We will not call and tell you that you have a warrant and that you need to send us money. We don't need a GreenDot pre-paid card or iTunes gift card, we're too busy catching criminals," say Annapolis Police.

The use of a legitimate police office number is known as “spoofing” and enables the caller to disguise his true identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally. U.S. law and FCC rules prohibit most types of spoofing.

Here’s what police say to do if you receive a telephone call you believe is a scam:

• Do not provide information over the phone. Scammers often ask leading questions to retrieve information from you. Often, you do not realize that you are giving them valuable information.
• Scammers create a sense of urgency. Slow down and ask the caller for detailed information and a contact number. Tell the caller you will call them back. Then, attempt to verify the caller’s story by calling police.
• Do not send money.
• Most importantly, contact police immediately if you believe you are a victim of a telephone scam.

The department has more information about Caller ID spoofing and other crimes on its website.

»Image from Shutterstock