The VCPD has received more than 120 reports this month of callers pretending to be police officers. They claim that the person has missed a court date or owes a fine, and demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer to avoid arrest.
The calls often look like they come from a real VCPD number, and the callers may know your name and address. They are still scams.
How to protect yourself
- The VCPD never asks for payment by phone, text or email
- No government agency accepts gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Hang up, then call the non-emergency line yourself to check
- Never share bank details or codes sent to your phone
If someone on the phone says you will be arrested unless you pay right now, that is not the police. Hang up and call us.
If you lost money, report it online or at any district station with the phone numbers, dates and receipts. The sooner a report is filed, the better the chance of tracing the payment.
