The Mill Valley Police Department is warning community members about an ongoing phone scam in which callers are impersonating MVPD personnel.
We have received multiple reports of individuals being contacted by someone claiming to be a Mill Valley Police Department employee. These callers use official-sounding titles, false badge numbers, and spoofed phone numbers to make their story seem legitimate. They then demand personal information, payment, or both, often claiming the victim has an outstanding warrant, unpaid fine, or other urgent “legal issue.”
In some cases, the scammers threaten to send an officer to the person's home if they do not comply or make immediate payment.
Please be aware:
The Mill Valley Police Department will never call you to request personal information, demand payment, collect fines, or solicit wire transfers, gift cards, or any other form of money. We do not send officers to collect payments of any kind.
If you live in Mill Valley and have suffered financial loss due to this scam, please file a report by calling our Non-Emergency line at (415) 389-4100.
We also encourage you to check in with vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbors who may be more likely to receive or respond to these calls.
Tips to protect yourself from this scam:
- Never provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.
- Be suspicious of anyone who demands immediate payment or uses threats.
- Protect your privacy on social media. Scammers often gather personal details to make their calls more convincing.
- Remember: anyone who obtains the number on a prepaid or gift card can immediately access those funds. Additionally, these funds cannot be recovered once they have been sent.
- Never wire money or provide debit/credit card information to a stranger.
Stay alert and help spread the word to keep our community safe.
