PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany–Troy Hills Police Department issued a statement regarding “Phone Scams.”
The Police Department will not contact any citizen and advise them they have a warrant for their arrest which must be paid over the phone to avoid arrest.
Recently they were advised that someone contacted a resident of another town and told them that they were a Police Officer from Parsippany Police Department which currently had a warrant for their arrest.
They further stated to prevent an arrest and to clear the charges they need to send a certain amount of money immediately.
In these scams they advise the person to call them back once they purchase a money card, money gram, visit a Western Union, or some other type of currency transfer service. In some instances the caller forces the individuals to stay on the line while they complete the transactions.
The calls were spoofed (Caller ID information altered) to appear as they had come from the Parsippany Police Department to make it appear legitimate.
If you get a phone call of this nature please record the phone number that appears on your caller ID and contact the Police.
The Federal Communications Commission has also stepped in with information and tips for consumers and a breakdown of the rules. Tips include:
- Don’t give out personal information in response to an incoming call. Identity thieves are clever – they often pose as representatives of banks, credit card companies, creditors, or government agencies to get people to reveal their account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords, and other identifying information.
- If you get an inquiry from a company or government agency seeking personal information, don’t provide it. Instead, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company’s or government agency’s website to find out if the entity that supposedly called you actually needs the requested information from you.
To download a guide on spoofing, click here.
For more information about caller ID spoofing please visit the FCC website by clicking here.
