Columbia Police warn about phone scams
The Columbia Police Department warned about a phone scam with people impersonating law enforcement asking for money.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said a recent scam involved an unknown person claiming a law enforcement matter needs to be resolved immediately, with the threat of arrest or a hefty fine.
Holbrook said the alleged scammer has used a real name of a police representative from various local, state or federal agency to make the call appear legitimate. The caller advises that he will send an officer to an agreed upon location to collect the money.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbia Police Department or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Safety tips regarding phone scams
- If someone you don’t know asks for money over the phone, don’t comply. Tell them not to call back.
- Don’t engage in a lengthy conversation with the caller. Hang up the phone.
- If the call back number is fake and part of a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission and visit: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1
- If the calls continue, keep a detailed log of the times, topic and demands, then provide local police with the information to aid in the investigation.
Columbia Police Department
This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Columbia Police warn about phone scams."