Town of Palm Beach Alerts and News Releases
Scam Alert: Fraudsters Impersonating Law Enforcement Officers
The Town of Palm Beach Police Department are alerting residents to remain vigilant against a common telephone scam in which callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officers and threaten arrest unless an immediate payment is made.
Scammers often tell victims that they have an outstanding warrant, missed jury duty, or failed to appear for a court proceeding. The caller then demands payment through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other non-traditional payment methods to avoid arrest.
These calls are fraudulent. Legitimate law enforcement agencies and courts do not notify individuals of arrest warrants by telephone, nor do they demand immediate payment to prevent an arrest.
Common Scam Tactics Include:
• Caller ID Spoofing: Scammers manipulate caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from a local police department, sheriff’s office, courthouse, or federal agency.
• False Jury Duty Claims: Victims are told they missed jury duty or a court appearance and must pay a fine or bond immediately.
• Threats and Intimidation: Callers use aggressive language and create a sense of urgency, often instructing victims to remain on the phone while payment is arranged.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call.
• Never provide personal, financial, or banking information over the phone.
• Do not send money, purchase gift cards, or transfer funds in response to threats.
• If you believe the call may be legitimate, contact the law enforcement agency or court directly using a verified telephone number from an official source.
• Report scam attempts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and local law enforcement. FTC reporting site: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
Town of Palm Beach residents who believe they may have been the victim of a scam should contact the Palm Beach Police Department at 561-838-5454.
Scammers often tell victims that they have an outstanding warrant, missed jury duty, or failed to appear for a court proceeding. The caller then demands payment through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other non-traditional payment methods to avoid arrest.
These calls are fraudulent. Legitimate law enforcement agencies and courts do not notify individuals of arrest warrants by telephone, nor do they demand immediate payment to prevent an arrest.
Common Scam Tactics Include:
• Caller ID Spoofing: Scammers manipulate caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from a local police department, sheriff’s office, courthouse, or federal agency.
• False Jury Duty Claims: Victims are told they missed jury duty or a court appearance and must pay a fine or bond immediately.
• Threats and Intimidation: Callers use aggressive language and create a sense of urgency, often instructing victims to remain on the phone while payment is arranged.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call.
• Never provide personal, financial, or banking information over the phone.
• Do not send money, purchase gift cards, or transfer funds in response to threats.
• If you believe the call may be legitimate, contact the law enforcement agency or court directly using a verified telephone number from an official source.
• Report scam attempts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and local law enforcement. FTC reporting site: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
Town of Palm Beach residents who believe they may have been the victim of a scam should contact the Palm Beach Police Department at 561-838-5454.