Newport Police Warn Of Scammers Posing As Officers By Spoofing Calls

NEWPORT, RI — Newport police have asked the public to be on the lookout for recent phone scams, where callers are posing as police officers to steal money.

"We have received additional reports of phone scams where the caller identifies themselves as a Newport police sergeant, lieutenant, constable, or deputy," Lt. Joseph Carroll said. "These callers are using actual names of our officers that may be familiar."

According to police, the scammers claim to have "legal documents" that need to be signed. They often reference an incident involving a sexual assault case where a failure to appear warrant has been issued. To cancel the warrant, they then instruct people to purchase a gift card or Bitcoin and provide the codes over the phone.

Newport police said no law enforcement or government agency will ever request personal information over the phone or have someone purchase a gift card, Bitcoin or any other form of payment.

Police said scammers are spoofing their calls with a computer program to make their caller ID appear to be coming from the Newport Police Department. One of the numbers they have spoofed is 401- 847-1306. This number is listed on-line and does come back to the Newport Police Department.

If anyone receives these calls, police ask that they hang up and call 401-847-1306 to report the matter.

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