The Covington Police Department is issuing an alert to warn residents about the rise of sophisticated scams involving fake warrants and jury duty. These scams aim to trick you into paying money or providing personal information by creating a sense of urgency and fear.
How the Scams Work:
- Fake Warrant Arrest Scam: You receive a call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. They tell you there’s a warrant for your arrest due to unpaid fines, missed court appearances, or other fabricated reasons. They may threaten you with immediate arrest if you don’t pay a fine or provide personal information like your Social Security number or bank account details.
- Jury Duty Scam: You receive a call or email claiming you missed jury duty and are now facing legal consequences, including a warrant for your arrest. The scammer will try to pressure you into paying a fine or providing personal information to avoid arrest.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
- Urgent and Aggressive Tone: Scammers often use a high-pressure, intimidating tone to scare you into acting quickly without thinking.
- Requests for Immediate Payment: Legitimate law enforcement or court officials will never demand immediate payment over the phone or through unconventional methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Threats of Arrest: While law enforcement officers do serve warrants, they will never call you in advance to warn you about an impending arrest.
- Requests for Personal Information: Never give out personal information like your Social Security number, date of birth, or bank account details over the phone unless you are absolutely certain of the caller’s identity.
- Spoofed Phone Numbers: Scammers use technology to disguise their phone number and make it appear as if they are calling from a legitimate law enforcement agency or court. Always independently verify the caller’s identity by looking up the official phone number of the agency and calling them directly.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never Give Out Personal Information: Do not provide any personal information over the phone unless you are absolutely sure of the caller’s identity.
- Verify the Caller’s Identity: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and independently verify the caller’s identity by looking up the official phone number of the agency they claim to represent and calling them directly.
- Be Skeptical of Urgent Requests: Legitimate law enforcement or court officials will never pressure you into making immediate payments or providing personal information over the phone.
- Report Suspicious Calls: If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the Covington Police Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Remember:
- The Covington Police Department will never call you to demand payment or threaten you with arrest.
- Legitimate court officials will never contact you by phone or email to demand payment for missed jury duty.
Stay informed and stay safe!