Delaware State Police issue warning about phone “spoofing” scam

DELAWARE – Delaware State Police (DSP) are warning the public about a phone scam.

Police say there have been multiple incidents of individuals receiving phone calls from a DSP-issued phone number. Only the phone number appears on caller ID, and if that number is looked up, it shows that it is a legitimate DSP phone number, according to police. However, the call is not actually coming from them. Police say this is a case of “spoofing” a phone number.

Caller ID spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used to trick people into giving away personal information, which can then be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally, according to police.

DSP says they will never request payment for fines, traffic tickets, or bail. All such transactions are conducted by the respective court systems, and never over the phone. Electronic payments are also never requested via phone for court matters, according to police.

Police say if someone calls you regarding a family member, you should not give out personal information about them or yourself. DSP recommends immediately trying to contact the family member to verify their status and your own. Police say indicators of scam calls are threats, orders not to hang up, and other statements expressing urgency around the request for information.