The Bossier City Police Department is warning the public about a surge in scams in
which individuals falsely impersonate law enforcement officers to defraud
victims. These scammers contact people by phone, email, and even through fake
websites, demanding money or personal information under the pretense of legal or
law enforcement actions.
Scammers may claim the victim has an outstanding warrant, failed to appear for
jury duty, or owes a fine, and threaten arrest if payment isn’t made
immediately. They may even “spoof” caller ID information to make the call appear
legitimate. The scammers may also request payments via unconventional
methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, which are red flags for
fraudulent activity.
Key Takeaways:
Legitimate law enforcement will not demand immediate payment or threaten arrest
over the phone.
Never provide personal information, including financial details, to unsolicited callers
or through suspicious websites.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and verify the information through official
channels.
Report any scam attempts to your local law enforcement agency.
How to Protect Yourself:
Be skeptical of unsolicited calls or emails claiming to be from law enforcement.
Verify the caller’s legitimacy by contacting the agency directly using a number
obtained from their official website.
Do not provide personal information, including financial details, to unknown callers.
If you suspect a scam, report it to your local law enforcement agency.