Scam Alert: Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Calls

The Easton Police Department is warning the public of a recent scam where individuals are posing as police officers or sheriff's officers, contacting citizens and demanding payment for outstanding fines and court costs.

Here's how the scam works:

• Scammers will call you, claiming to be a law enforcement officer or representative.
• They will inform you that you have outstanding fines or court costs that need to be paid immediately.
• The scammer will then demand payment in the form of money or gift cards.

Important: This is a scam! Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never call you and ask for payment over the phone or demand gift cards as a form of payment.

What to do if you receive one of these calls:

• Hang up immediately. Do not engage with the caller or provide any personal information.
• Verify the authenticity of the call by contacting your local police department or sheriff's office directly.
• Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local authorities. FTC Website: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Remember: Law enforcement agencies will never ask for payment over the phone or demand gift cards as a form of payment. If you have any outstanding fines or court costs, you will receive official notification through the mail or in person.

Stay safe and vigilant, and don't let scammers take advantage of you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local police department.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe

For more information on how to protect yourself from scams and fraud, visit Complain about phone and text scams, robocalls, and telemarketers | USAGov .

Together, let's stay safe and prevent fraud in our community!