Ridgefield PD Warns Residents Of Scam Calls Impersonating Family Members, Jury Officials

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Police Department is warning residents about a rise in scam phone calls in which callers impersonate family members or government officials to solicit money.

Police said one common scheme involves a caller claiming to be a relative who has been arrested and urgently needs money for bail. Another scam falsely tells recipients they missed jury duty and must immediately pay a fine to avoid legal consequences.

Authorities urged residents to be cautious and said legitimate law enforcement agencies and courts do not demand payment over the phone.

Police offered several tips to help residents avoid becoming victims of fraud, including protecting personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details and passwords, and using strong, unique passwords for online accounts. Residents are also encouraged to enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.

Officials advised skepticism toward unsolicited calls, texts or emails, noting that scammers often pose as banks, government agencies or technology companies. Residents should independently verify contact information before responding.

Police also emphasized that legitimate businesses and government agencies will not require payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency, which are favored by scammers because they are difficult to trace.

Residents are encouraged to regularly review bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions and to confirm payment requests directly with a trusted source before sending money.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by a scam is urged to report the incident to police.