WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Police Department issued a fraud alert Tuesday after a resident reported receiving a scam call from someone impersonating a police officer.
The caller claimed the resident had outstanding arrest warrants and needed to make immediate payment to avoid jail time.
According to police, the scammer spoofed the department’s official phone number, 802-457-1420, making it appear the call was legitimately from local law enforcement.
The department emphasized that police will never call residents demanding payment for warrants or threaten immediate arrest if payment isn’t made.
Officials warned that scammers often request payment through gift cards or money transfers via Walmart Money Center kiosks.
“Absolutely no law enforcement or government entity will accept payments in this fashion,” the department stated in their alert.
Residents are advised to hang up immediately if they receive such calls and avoid sharing any personal information with the callers.
