Superintendent Colonel William Crotty
Dover – The Delaware State Police are issuing the following advisory in response to a recent phone scams involving a “spoofed phone number”.
The Delaware State Police were made aware of multiple incidents in which individuals received a phone call advising that they were under investigation. The caller asked the individuals to verify all of their information, and threatened to “put a hold on their Social Security number” if they did not comply. The call is appearing on caller ID as a Delaware State Police issued phone number. The caller suggested to the victims to look up the phone number in which they are calling from so that the victims would see that it is in fact a Delaware State Police issued phone number.
A second scam incident was also reported today in which the caller identified themselves as the “Delaware State Police Alliance” requesting donations on behalf of the Delaware State Police. The call appears on caller ID to be originating from a Frankford area phone number.
Caller ID spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.
You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Be extremely careful about responding to any request for personal identifying information.
https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/robocalls-analysis/
This information was provided through the Federal Communications Commissions website located at:
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id
Many of these scams are difficult to investigate. They will target persons of all age groups. The Delaware State Police is asking citizens to remember the tips previously mentioned in order to not become a victim of one of these scam artists.
If you suspect you have been a victim of this scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:
Delaware State Police Official Web Site
Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.
Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe
Released: 020119 1251
-End-