Per the Gaithersburg PD: The Gaithersburg Police Department has recently received complaints about a phone scam in which the caller identifies themselves as an officer(s) with the Gaithersburg Police Department. During the calls, the scammer tells the victim that they have a warrant for their arrest and to avoid arrest, they should make payment using a gift card.
We would like to remind our community that this is a PHONE SCAM and that you should never give any personal information to the caller. In addition, the Gaithersburg Police Department does not call residents regarding arrest warrants and will never ask for payments to avoid an arrest. If you receive one of these scam phone calls, hang up immediately!
The Gaithersburg Police Department would like to also recommend the following tips to protect yourself or others from being scammed online or on the phone:
☎️ Sign up for the “National Do Not Call Registry” by calling 888-382-1222 or visit, www.donotcall.gov
☎️ NEVER share personal or financial information over the phone with someone you do not know, e.g., social security number, debit/credit card numbers, etc.
☎️ If you get a text or an email that your account has been hacked. Go to the actual website to confirm there is an issue and DO NOT click on any link(s) in the email or text.
☎️The government or a law enforcement agency will NEVER ask for any form of payment to avoid an arrest.
☎️ NEVER assume that the phone number shown on your telephone screen during an incoming phone call is the true phone number that is calling. If there is any doubt, hang up, look up the phone number for the agency calling you and call them back.
☎️DO NOT conduct business over the phone with callers you do not know.
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