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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- November 25, 2020
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The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is warning the public about a financial telephone scam involving callers posing as social workers in the attempt to extort people.
The MPD has been alerted of phone calls in which the scammers tell people that an active warrant from the MPD has been issued against them and they must pay money to absolve the issue.
In a press release, police reminded the public that the MPD will never solicit anyone for monetary funds.
They also advised people to do the following if they receive similar unsolicited phone calls:
- Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action.
- Don’t engage in any conversation, as scammers may record your response.
- Don’t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.
- Don’t send money if a caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card.
- Don’t travel to any location the caller asked you to go to.
Instead, they advise that recipients of these calls contact their local police department to report the incident. They also advise anyone who has been a victim of this scam in DC to contact the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov.