Bossier City Police Department warn of scam calls posing as law enforcement

BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — In a recent news release, the Bossier City Police Department provided information on what to look out for when it comes to scams. 

According to the release, scammers are now pretending to be law enforcement officers. These scammers contact people by phone, email, and even through fake websites, demanding money or personal information under the pretense of legal or law enforcement actions. 

Scammers may claim the victim has an outstanding warrant, failed to appear for jury duty, or owes a fine, and threaten arrest if payment isn’t made immediately. They may even “spoof” caller ID information to make the call appear legitimate. The scammers may also request payments via unconventional methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, which are red flags for fraudulent activity, according to the news release. 

These are some key takeaways from the Bossier City Police Department: 

• Legitimate law enforcement will not demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone.
• Never provide personal information, including financial details, to unsolicited callers or through suspicious websites.
• If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and verify the information through official channels.
• Report any scam attempts to your local law enforcement agency.

How to Protect Yourself according to the Bossier City Police Department:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited calls or emails claiming to be from law enforcement.
• Verify the caller’s legitimacy by contacting the agency directly using a number obtained from their official website.
• Do not provide personal information, including financial details, to unknown callers.
• If you suspect a scam, report it to your local law enforcement agency