Scammers Pretending To Be Manchester Police, Department Warns

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township police are warning residents about a phone scam where the caller claims to be with the police department.

A person who received one of the calls told police the scammer wanted the potential victim to send thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards to pay for an arrest warrant, and used a "spoofing" device that made it appear the call was coming from the Manchester Township Police Department's phone number, 732-657-2009, on Caller ID.

"If you get a call from someone claiming to be a Manchester Township Police Officer demanding money and/or gift cards and threatening arrest, it’s a SCAM," police said.

"At NO TIME will any members of the Manchester Township Police Department or any other agency contact you requesting money and/or gift cards."

Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a scam should call the department at 732-657-6111 or go to police headquarters at 1 Colonial Drive to file a report.

Manchester police have compiled a video on scam awareness; see it at the bottom of this article.

Here are some tips to stay safe from scammers:

• Never to send money to an unknown source, no matter how promising the supposed potential reward. Be cautious when meeting new people through online social networks and websites.
• Never give out any personal information, including bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers to any company or institution unless you called them and you are sure you are speaking with an authorized representative.
• No utility company, credit company or government agency takes payment in gift cards.
• Callers claiming that your personal computer has a virus and requesting remote access to your desktop —often asking for payment upwards of $100 for the service — is a fraud.
• Seniors should beware of scams in which an individual calls and claims to be a grandchild in need of immediate monetary assistance. These scammers will claim to be a grandchild in need of money for bail or another emergency situation and ask for a wire funds transfer.