(Greensburg, IN) – The Greensburg Police Department says it’s recently received reports of scammers posing as law enforcement officers who are calling residents informing them that they have missed court or jury duty, and need to pay a fine to avoid arrest.
GPD says officers will never call you to demand money or sensitive personal information.
The department says there are red flags to watch for:
- The “Pay Now” Ultimatum: They claim you have a warrant, missed jury duty, or owe a fine and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest.
- Sketchy Payment Methods: No legitimate agency will ever ask you to pay via gift cards, bitcoin/cryptocurrency, money service centers, or wire transfers.
- Caller ID Deception: Scammers can “spoof” their number to make it look like it’s coming from our station. GPD says, “Don’t trust the name on the screen.”
- Phishing for Info: They may ask for your Social Security number, bank details, or passwords. “We will never ask for this over the phone,” police say.
As for what to do, officers say you should:
- Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage, even if they use your name or sound “official.”
- Verify the Source: If you’re worried/concerned, hang up and call GPD directly at the non-emergency number – (812) 663-3131. Do not use the number the provided by the caller.
- Report It: Help us protect your neighbors by filing a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contacting the department.
