Scam Alert - Scammers Posing as Law Enforcement

The New York State Police in Troop K issue alert warning residents of recent scammers pretending to be members of the State Police.

Law enforcement agencies do not call for cash:

Law enforcement never calls or emails you about paying them money. They might say you’ll be arrested, fined, or deported if you don’t pay taxes or some other debt right away. The goal is to scare you into paying. But real law enforcement agencies will not call and threaten you.

How scammers pose as law enforcement:

• Demanding payment for a missed court date, jury duty, or other legal matter
• Claiming there is a warrant for your arrest
• Threatening arrest unless you pay a fine
• Directing you to buy a prepaid money transfer card and provide the card number
• Disguising the phone number so it appears valid on caller ID

Protect yourself:

• Refuse to give the scammer any information
• Do not send any payments
• Hang up and do not trust that caller ID shows their real identity
• Record their number and save any voicemails
• Find the real number and call the law enforcement agency the scammer claimed to represent

If you are the victim of a scam within Troop K please call (845) 677-7300.  If you suspect a scam but have not fallen victim please report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.