DSP warning citizens of new phone scam involving spoofed police number

DOVER, Del. – Delaware State Police are warning the public of a recent phone scam involving a spoofed phone number.

Troopers say they have recently been made aware of multiple incidents in which individuals have received phone calls from a Delaware State Police issued number. Only the number appears on the caller ID, and if that number is looked up, it shows that it is a valid Delaware State Police phone number.

During these calls, police say the recipient was told they needed to pay a fine from a previous criminal charge. The scammers can be very convincing, playing on the emotional vulnerability of the victim.

Delaware State Police are reminding citizens that they will never request payment for fines, traffic tickets, or bail. All of these transactions are conducted by the respective court systems and never over the phone. Electronic payments are never requested via phone for court matters.

If someone is calling regarding a family member, do not offer any personal information about yourself or the family member. Indicators of scam calls are threats, orders to not hang up, and other statements about immediacy.