The Petaluma Police Department wants community members to be aware of a phone scam currently happening in the Petaluma area.
Petaluma Dispatch received reports from community members that stated they received a call from a caller claiming to be a representative from the Petaluma Police Department. Additionally, the caller "spoofed" the legitimate Petaluma Police Department phone number to gain the victim's trust.
When the caller asked the community members for their personal information, the community members hung up the phone and immediately contacted the police department. The Petaluma Police Department does not call community members seeking payment for outstanding traffic citations or warrants. This includes claims of unpaid federal or state taxes.
If you are a resident of the Petaluma area and a victim of these scammers with financial loss, you are encouraged to file a report by calling the Petaluma Police Department's Non-Emergency line at (707) 778-4372.
Tips to help avoid becoming a victim of this scam include:
* Never give personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller or email.
* Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
* Stay private. Regularly update privacy settings for social media sites. Scammers often make their stories more believable by trolling for personal information on Facebook, Twitter, and similar sites.
* Remember that anyone who has the number on a prepaid card has access to the funds on your card
* Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers to a stranger.
