Portsmouth, Ohio Police issued a scam alert warning citizens that crooks impersonating police officers could call their homes.
Even worse, the phone number on the caller ID could appear to originate from the PPD. These crooks contact unsuspecting citizens and claim to have an open warrant for your arrest.
Sometimes they use the scam to extort money, and other times to steal personal information like your SSN number or bank account information.
Officers do not call your home to demand money or information for open warrants. These criminals use a technique called “spoofing” to make it look like the phone call is coming from a local government office.
Police say there’s nothing they can do to stop the scammers but make it clear that they do not call you at home to tell you about open warrants for your arrest.
If you have some concerns that there could be an open warrant, hang up the phone and look up the number of your local police agency on your own. You can call them to check if there are any legitimate, open warrants you need to take care of.