NYSP Warn that Scammers are Pretending to be Law Enforcement

Scam Warning in New York State

As if the annoying spam text messages weren't bad enough, the New York State Police warned about an ongoing phone scam in which the hustler impersonates law enforcement to obtain personal information.

In a recent press release, the New York State Police warned the public about an ongoing phone spoofing scam: "Scammers impersonate members of law enforcement or government agencies in an attempt to solicit sensitive personal information from individuals across New York State and beyond."

Calls Appear from "Legit" Numbers

According to the State Police, scammers have ramped up their efforts to obtain personal information by calling from numbers that appear to be legitimate.

In the press release, they wrote that individuals have reported receiving phone calls from numbers that look to be actual New York State Police phone lines.

Since the calls appear to be from a trusted number, unsuspecting people are willing to part with personal information such as Social Security numbers after they've been threatened for not complying.
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They wrote, "These calls are fraudulent. The New York State Police and other legitimate government agencies will never call individuals, demand sensitive information, or threaten arrest or legal action over the phone."

What Should You Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call?

• Do not provide any personal information.
• Do not send money or make payments under threat.
• Hang up immediately—even if the caller ID appears legitimate.
• Save any voicemails and record the phone number if possible.
• Verify the call by contacting the agency directly using a trusted number.
• The New York State Police urge all residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity involving impersonation of law enforcement or government agencies.