Camilla police warn of phone scam spoofing department’s number

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CAMILLA, Ga. (WALB) — The Camilla Police Department (CPD) is warning residents about a phone scam in which criminals are reportedly spoofing the department’s number and impersonating officers.

According to the CPD, criminals are using the department’s phone number to make calls appear as though they are coming from police.

In a recent incident, a caller instructed an individual to purchase a gift card, load it with money and provide the gift card number and PIN over the phone, police said.

The police department said residents should keep the following in mind:

• Police will never ask residents to purchase gift cards to pay fines or fees.
• Police will never request payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or payment apps.
• Police will never threaten residents with arrest or demand immediate payment over the phone.

Police said caller ID can be spoofed even if a phone displays the department’s number. Residents who receive a call like this are advised to hang up.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized by this scam is asked to contact the Camilla Police Department to file a report.

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