On Thursday, August 10, 2023, at approximately 8:30 a.m., a member of the community received a phone call from a man who had contacted him over the telephone and identified himself as a police officer calling from what was believed to be 928-772-9261, the Prescott Valley Police Department’s phone number.
According to the reporting party, the person impersonating the police officer informed him he was a police officer, and he was working with a federal law enforcement agency in reference to the purchase of hydrochloric acid. The caller impersonating the police officer then alleged that the purchase was indicative of methamphetamine production. The alleged police officer then required the person he had contacted over the telephone to provide him with his driver’s license information as well as his credit card information. According to the reporting party, the police imposter provided the credit card information that was allegedly used to purchase hydrochloric acid and asked the reporting party to verify what his actual current card number was, including his expiration date and three-digit CCV number. The police imposter also provided a “Prescott Valley Report number” of CP920416.
The reporting party stated that he did not provide any information to the alleged police officer and insisted on coming to the Prescott Valley Police Department to speak to him in person. At this time the subject impersonating a police officer hung up on the phone.
The subject who received this call contacted law enforcement and reported this interaction. It was then discovered that someone had impersonated a Prescott Valley Police officer and spoofed the telephone number of the Prescott Valley Police Department. Community members are asked to be aware of the following:
• A police officer will not contact you over the telephone and make allegations.
• Police will not contact you over the phone and ask you for credit card numbers.
• Police officers will not contact you over the telephone and provide you with credit card numbers to verify your credit card numbers.
• If you believe something does not sound right, it probably isn’t. Ask for the person’s number and advise them you will call them back. Then contact your local authorities and provide them with the phone number the suspicious person provided you with.
How to Recognize Phone Number Spoofing
One of the best ways to protect yourself is by learning to recognize scams that use spoofing so you can avoid picking up or engaging with spoofed calls. Here are some tips to help.
Be Skeptical
Be skeptical of text messages or callers that address you with generic greetings instead of using your real name. Don’t assume that callers are who they say they are. If you get a call from someone representing a company or a government agency, hang up and call back the phone number on the company’s agency website to verify the caller.
Password Protect Your Voicemail
Set a password for your voicemail account. Scammers can hack into your voicemail unless it is properly secured with a password.
Avoid Unknown Numbers
Avoid answering unknown numbers, even if they are from local area codes.
Don’t Press Any Buttons
If the caller asks you to press any buttons, hang up immediately.
Don’t Fall for It
Pay attention to the caller’s tone of voice and don’t give out any information to callers who seem pushy or demanding. A popular tactic with telemarketers is to try to make a matter appear urgent so recipients will be more inclined to react and give out information. If a caller says they need your information for an event or product you’ve never heard of, be wary. Don’t answer any questions, especially regarding your personal information. Scammers are known to ask for information such as your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, passwords, or credit card numbers.
Don’t Stay on the Line
Trust your gut. If you have any suspicions about the caller, hang up immediately. The longer you stay on the line with them, the more likely they are to get information out of you.
Notifying the FCC, the FTC, or your local police department is often the best way to go about protecting your personal information.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING OR HEAR SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS / SAY SOMETHING
Prescott Valley Police Department can be contacted at (928) 772-9267 for non-emergencies, 911 for emergencies. Yavapai County Silent witness is 1-800-932-3232.
