By Lt. Chuck Fleeger, CSPD Public Information Officer
These days, no one is immune to identity theft or impersonation – even the College Station Police Department.
Since late October, phone scammers have been leading local residents to believe they are with the police department. They use sophisticated technology to trick your caller ID into showing that the call is from CSPD’s main phone line.
The calls typically include false allegations about unpaid taxes, arrest warrants and immigration status. In some cases, the scammer says the resident’s family member is in jail or that their identity has been stolen. The victim is threatened with arrest, expulsion from school or deportation unless the fine is paid immediately through the purchase of redeemable gift cards, release of banking information, disclosure of user names and passwords, or other unreasonable requests.
The College Station Police Department doesn’t participate in the collection of fines over the phone, collect taxes, remove people from institutions of higher learning or distribute lost monies by obtaining personally identifying information and bank account data.
The City of College Station, including the Police Department and the Municipal Court, may call you for legitimate reasons, but we never demand immediate payment of fines under threat or request that type of information by phone.
Don’t fall victim to this scam.
It’s important for you to know which calls are authentic and which are not. If you’re suspicious of a caller who indicates they’re from CSPD, ask for their name, say you’ll call them right back, then call us at 979-764-3600. We’ll let you know if the call is legitimate.
About the Author
Lt. Chuck Fleeger has 24 years of service with the College Station Police Department and has served as public information officer since 2013. A native of College Station, Fleeger attended Texas A&M.
Photo Copyright: wavebreakmediamicro / 123RF Stock Photo
Looks like caller ID spoofing plays a very important role in phone scams. I learned about how it works from https://www.callercenter.com/blg/articles/spoofing-caller-ids/ and I was surprised to find out who’s actually providing the tool to facilitate spoofing. Is it really legally allowed? How come?
Lt. Fleeger responds:
While it is not illegal to spoof, it is illegal to impersonate a public servant.
astonished to figure out who’s really giving the instrument to encourage mocking. Is it accurate to say that it is truly legitimately permitted? How come?while it is not unlawful to parody, it is illicit to mimic an open servant. http://www.ecashinawink.com