Phone Scammers Are Impersonating Parsippany Police: What To Watch Out For

PARSIPPANY, NJ — You might get a call that appears to be from the Parsippany Police Department, but it could be a scammer on the other end. Police have been made aware of scammers changing their caller ID to the department's.

The scammers then request personal information and/or payment via gift cards. They will threaten to arrest you if you don't provide the requested information, according to police.

Parsippany police advised the following: do not give out any personal information or purchase gift cards as requested by the scammers. When in doubt, hang up and locate their official number from their website or documents you may have and call that number.

Authorities have seen an increase in residents getting victimized by scammers who usually request for victims to go to specific stores and purchase iTunes Gift Cards, Green Dot MoneyPak Cards or other types of gift cards. The scammers usually advise the victim that if they fail to comply immediately, police will arrest them.

These scammers use different techniques, such as spoofing their caller ID names and numbers to make it appear as a legitimate call. In 2016, residents were scammed out of more than $100,000 by these types of crimes, according to police.

Government agencies do not accept payment via gift cards or threaten immediate arrest unless a payment is made over the phone. If you become a victim, call Parsippany police at 973-263-4300.

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