Police Warn of Sophisticated Multi-Region Phone Scams

Law enforcement agencies in multiple regions are reporting a surge in sophisticated phone scams, with fraudsters impersonating police or government officials and telling victims they have missed jury duty or have outstanding warrants. Scammers demand payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or even gold, and use caller ID spoofing along with personal information from social media to appear credible. Authorities emphasize that legitimate agencies will never request payment over the phone or through unconventional methods such as Bitcoin or precious metals. Residents are advised to hang up immediately, independently verify agency contact details, and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers. Community partners, including banks and retailers, are assisting by monitoring for suspicious transactions. Police urge victims to report scams to local authorities to help prevent further incidents.