Public Safety Alert Regarding Impersonation Scams

URGENT: Public Safety Alert Regarding Impersonation Scams

There has been a significant rise in fraudulent phone calls where scammers impersonate law enforcement officers. These criminals use intimidation and high-pressure tactics to steal money or sensitive personal information.

Common Scenarios Used by Scammers

Scammers often "spoof" their caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from a local police department or government agency. They may claim:

Outstanding Warrants: You have a warrant for your arrest (often for missing jury duty) that can be "cleared" by paying a fine immediately.
Federal Indictment: You were served a notice to appear, a subpoena, fingerprint analysis, or missed court.
Ankle Mentoring release: You can pay a fee to have your family member or friend released into an ankle monitoring program.
Case Investigation: They need your Social Security number or banking details to "verify your identity" for an ongoing investigation.

Red Flags to Watch For

The Scammer Will...	The Real Police Will...
Demand immediate payment via Gift Cards, Bitcoin, Wire Transfer. Or to meet in a parking lot/public place.	Never ask for payment over the phone or via untraceable methods.
Threaten you with immediate arrest if you hang up.	Follow legal due process, which usually involves written notices or in-person visits.
Ask for your Social Security Number or bank PIN.	Never ask for sensitive financial credentials over a phone call.
Pressure you to stay on the line while you go to the bank.	Encourage you to verify information through official channels.

What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage in conversation.
Do Not Trust Caller ID: Technology allows scammers to mimic official phone numbers.
Verify Independently: If you are concerned the call might be real, hang up and call your local police department’s non-emergency line using a number you find on an official government website.
Remember: A legitimate law enforcement officer will never ask for money by phone or be offended if you want to hang up and call them back through an official, verified number to ensure your own safety.

If you have been scammed:

Immediate Actions:

Contact Financial Institutions: Call your bank, credit card company, or payment app (e.g., Venmo, PayPal) to report fraudulent transactions.

You can report fraud to the following places:

FTC (General Scams): https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ is the primary federal site for reporting fraud, which helps law enforcement investigate.
FBI (Cybercrime): Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) https://www.ic3.gov/ handles online scams, frauds, and cyber-enabled crimes. Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (.gov)
Identity Theft: https://www.identitytheft.gov/ provides a recovery plan if personal data was stolen. IdentityTheft.gov
Local Police: Contact your local police department to create a local record of the crime

If you live in Davenport you can file a police report at: https://www.davenportiowa.com/government/departments/police/file_or_request_report__submit_digital_evidence

If you live in Bettendorf you can file a policy report at: https://www.bettendorf.org/departments/police/non-emergency_reporting_system.php

To file a police report in Scott County, go to: https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/sheriff/file-police-report