Law enforcement authorities are warning local residents against a new scam in which perpetrators are calling victims and posing as officers in order to collect fees for active warrants.
According to the Maitland Police Department, scammers have been making fraudulent phone calls impersonating as police officers in an attempt to collect payments for fake warrants.
Police say that one scammer falsely claimed to be “Sergeant Andrew Moore” with the “Maitland City Police Department.” Maitland police say they never use the word “city” when identifying themselves.
Some of the calls appear as though they are originating from Maitland’s emergency dispatch phone number, when in fact they are not.
During each call, the scammer tells the victim that he/she has active warrants that can be resolved with a pre-paid credit card. Gift cards are favored by scammers because they are easy for people to buy and have fewer protections for buyers compared to other payment options.
“Don’t get tricked by this common scam. If you receive this call, hang up,” says the department.
Maitland residents who are defrauded should call the police department at 407-539-6261.