The Golden Police Department has been notified of a suspicious incident involving a party impersonating a Golden Police Sergeant.  This was by phone only, and included a caller ID indicating that the call was originating from the City of Golden.  There are multiple technologies that allow subjects to mask their true identity and location.  Just as you would for other suspicious calls, if you receive a call from someone stating they are a member of the Golden Police Department, you can verify their information in multiple ways.  The Police Department Crimewatch page (www.GoldenPolice.net), the City of Golden's Website (www.CityofGolden.net), or by calling Jeffcom Dispatch (303) 980-7300.

What to Do If a Scammer Calls You

If you get a phone call pushing for an immediate payment, don’t go reaching for your wallet, no matter how urgent or demanding the caller’s voice sounds on the other end. The more threatening they sound, the more likely you are dealing with a scammer; in which case your best move is to hang up the phone immediately.

If you’re unsure whether the caller is from the organization they say they represent, hang up and call the organization directly.

If someone calls you claiming to be from the IRS, hang up. The IRS never calls consumers directly. Other government agencies, like the Social Security Administration, may sometimes phone you directly, but they will never badger you for sensitive information like your social security number.

Just to be safe, never pay someone calling you over the phone, period. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a robocall trying to sell you something over the phone is illegal, unless you’ve given them permission to do so.

Here are some other things to keep in mind when dealing with robocalls or phone scammers:

Don’t pick up calls from numbers you don’t recognize.

Don’t trust caller ID. Technology today makes it possible to mimic government agency phone numbers or local phone numbers even if the scammer is based halfway across the world.

Never transfer money to a government agency by wire or gift card. Think about it; what good is an Amazon gift card to the U.S government?