Callers Posing As Bensalem Officers A Scam: Police

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Bensalem Police are alerting residents to a scam involving people impersonating police officers and seeking money.

Bensalem Police said they've recently received several reports of people calling residents and posing as Bensalem Township Police Officers.

During the phone call, they sometimes identify themselves using an actual Bensalem Township Police officer's name, police said.

They often state that someone in the home has missed a Grand Jury date or hearing and owes money to avoid criminal or civil penalties.

"No Bensalem Township Police Officer, no matter the rank, will ever ask you for money," police said. "Please be careful with any phone calls where the caller asks for payment through gift cards."

Police provided some warning signs for residents to be aware of:

• Online vendors
• Businesses
• Governmental bodies asking for payment via gift card
• High-pressure calls alleging legal issues or overdue tax payments
• Requests for payment with an unrelated gift card for any service or item
• Anyone who asks for a gift card number or PIN over the phone or online
• Promises of check reimbursement
• Messages that appear to be from a work superior requesting gift card purchases

Anyone with questions about the validity of a police officer's phone call can report the incident to Bensalem Police at 215-633-3719 or contact your local police department.