SHREWSBURY, MA — Police are warning residents about a phone scam in which callers are impersonating law enforcement officers and demanding immediate payment.
The Shrewsbury Police Department said it has received reports of individuals receiving calls from what appears to be legitimate phone numbers, including numbers that display as the police department.
The calls are being made using “spoofed” numbers, which allow the caller to manipulate what appears on caller ID, police said.
In these cases, the caller claims to be a police officer or detective and demands immediate payment, often threatening arrest if payment is not made, according to police.
Police said law enforcement will never call demanding payment to avoid arrest.
If there was a legitimate arrest warrant, officers would take appropriate action in person, police said.
Caller ID cannot be trusted, as scammers can make it appear as any number, according to police.
Police are advising residents who receive a suspicious call to hang up immediately and not provide any personal or financial information.
Residents can call the police department’s business line directly at (508) 845-1212 to verify any suspicious calls, police said.
