Scammer Posed As Arlington Cop, Spoofed Department Phone Number

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington police are warning residents after a scammer spoofed the department's phone number and posed as a police officer, claiming he was investigating a resident.

The scammer claimed the investigation involved false accounts opened with the resident's social security number and demanded $8,000 in restitution, police said. The resident was also threatened with an arrest warrant being filed.

The scammer spoofed the police department's business line. Police said spoofing is when callers disguise their numbers as local numbers or numbers from a company or agency people already know and trust.

The resident received two additional calls from different phone numbers. One scammer was reported to have a middle eastern accent and was most likely located outside the United States, police said.

Police Chief Julie Flaherty said bail or restitution is never picked up at someone's house, through a livery service or by wire or prepaid debit cards. Police will also never calll someone to go to the police station to pay for a warrant.

"Fortunately this resident did not arrange to give the money to the scammers and contacted police," Flaherty said. "Residents should know that Arlington police officers will never call you demanding money. If you are doubtful or suspicious of a caller who claims to be from a government agency, it is recommended that you hang up and contact that agency directly to ensure the call was legitimate. Always be wary of callers who ask you for money or personal information over the phone, and contact police if you believe you have been scammed."

The Arlington Police Department provided the following tips for residents to protect themselves from scams and fraud:

• Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.
• If in doubt, do not give out your information. Report anyone claiming to be a government worker to local police.
• Do not give out your credit card information to someone calling over the phone.
• Monitor incoming calls. Do not pick up unknown numbers or random calls. If a call is important, the caller will leave a message.
• Know that even “local” numbers on caller ID may not be from a local caller.
• If you do pick up and learn it is a scam call, do not engage. Just hang up.

Anyone who has questions or feels they may have fallen victim to a scam should call the Arlington Police Department at 781-643-1212.