The College Station police department has issued an advisory of the return of a phone scam.
Lt. Chuck Fleeger says targets are receiving calls that on their caller ID indicating it’s from CSPD when it’s actually a scammer.
Lt. Fleeger says hang up and return the call to confirm whether it’s a scam. Targets can also contact CSPD at their non-emergency number of 979-764-3600.
Click below for comments from Chuck Fleeger, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
News release initially issued from College Station police in November:
Since Thursday November 6, 2014, the College Station Police Department has received numerous phone calls from concerned citizens regarding suspicious activity. These callers have all reported similar experiences related to phone calls that they have received during the last few days where they feel that they were the victims of an attempted scam.
The persons reporting this activity to the College Station Police Department have been primarily (but not exclusively) international students in the local area. All have reported receiving phone contact from an individual asserting that they are affiliated with the “Police Department” and demanding payment for a variety of alleged violations or problems. These calls and allegations have included, but are not limited to:
• Statement that the person has a warrant for their arrest and demanding payment under threat of incarceration
• Statement that the person owes a fine or taxes and that if payment is not made then the person faces expulsion/removal from school
• Statement that the person is owed money and the caller needs their bank information to “refund” the money to them
• Statement that payment for these “violations” can be made by releasing of the person’s banking information and/or obtaining and distribution of pre-paid gift cards
These scenarios are not all inclusive and vary from person to person slightly. All however, involve the person being called from a number that appears to be a legitimate College Station Police Department extension. The number that appears on the person’s caller ID has been “spoofed” and is not originating from any employee of the College Station Police Department. The College Station Police Department:
• Does not participate in the collection of fines over the phone
• Does not collect taxes
• Does not remove people from institutions of higher learning
• Does not distribute lost monies by obtaining personally identifying information and bank account data
If anyone receives a call that they believe may be a scam and indicates that it is coming from the College Station Police Department, or if the recipient is unsure as to the legitimacy of the caller, they can call 979-764-3600 and ask to speak to the person that identified themselves as a representative of this agency.