Scam Warning: Fraudulent Calls Show Police Department Phone Number

FREMONT, CA — The Fremont Police Department is warning residents and businesses about a scam involving fake phone calls that appear to come from their department.

"Phone scams are on the rise and criminals are faking their phone numbers on the Caller ID," the department said in a message to the community. "They are even pretending to be calling from the Fremont Police Department Non-Emergency Line (510) 790-6800! Our officers will never call from the non-emergency line to request for information or to solicit money. If you receive such a call, hang up!"

In an operation called spoofing, criminals may fake a caller ID to display "Fremont Police Department" and may use the name of a real Fremont Police member.

The criminal then tries to scare the recipient of the call by saying that they missed a subpoena, a fine for a ticket, a tax payment, or other fees. The caller then threatens the victim with arrest unless they transfer money, provide a code for a gift card, or send cash.

"Do not provide cash payment or any money transfers to anyone claiming to be from the Police Department, the City, the County, the Courts, or some type of government official — it's a scam," Fremont Police conclude.

The Berkeley Police Department has issued a similar warning.