Scammers Pretend To Be Long Branch PD, Threaten Arrests

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Long Branch police announced another phone scam in which callers pretend they represent local law enforcement.

The scammers claim to be officers working for crime victims. They advise people that they found fraudulent activity on their card. Then they tell scam victims that they must purchase gift cards and provide the caller with the gift card info for payment in order to avoid arrest.

"Government agencies and reputable businesses will NEVER ask for payment with gift cards!" Long Branch PD wrote on Facebook. "NEVER pay a stranger via a gift card or give personal information to anyone you do not know over the phone!"

When in doubt, call Long Branch PD to report the incident and ask if it's a scam.

There have been several phone scams in recent months in which callers pretend they represent Long Branch police. Authorities reported in July that a phone scammer pretended to represent Long Branch police and demanded someone's personal information. The caller ID contained Long Branch PD's phone number (732-222-1000).

Read more: Phone Scammer Poses As Long Branch Police Member: PD

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Long Branch-Eatontown Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.