Geneva Police Department Phone Number Spoofed, Scammers Demand Financial Information

GENEVA, IL — The Geneva Police Department is warning residents of scammers spoofing its telephone number to threaten callers about identity theft and arrest warrants.

In the scam, where the calls appear legitimate, the caller pretends to be a Geneva police officer and tells the listener that a package containing drugs has been intercepted, a warrant was issued for their arrest, and they may be victims of identity theft, officials said. The caller then requests financial information to resolve the matter.

When recipients questioned the caller, they were threatened with yelling and profanity, according to reports that Geneva police received.

The Geneva Police Department said it received reports of 11 scam calls on Jan. 8 after recipients contacted police to verify calls. People who reported the scam were current or former residents with 630 area codes.

Police reminded locals that the department does not make unsolicited phone calls demanding financial information, nor do officers threaten people to cooperate during an investigation. Officials also encouraged people not to provide financial or personal information over the phone, especially during unsolicited calls.

Residents who question the legitimacy of a call claiming to be from police should call the department at 630-232-4736 for verification. Anyone who has fallen victim to a scam should report it to their local police department, the Federal Trade Commission, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center.