GREENCASTLE, Ind. (WISH) — The Indiana State Police regularly receives reports of scam phone calls, but they’re not usually scams that involve impersonating police officers.
The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post said on Thursday that they have received numerous reports of a scammer posing as an Indiana State Police trooper calling individuals and claiming that they have fallen victim to identity theft. The caller then asks for their social security number.
Authorities say the scammer uses a Caller ID showing “Indiana State Police,” and a number that is used by the Putnamville State Police Post.
Police would never request social security numbers or personal information over the phone, the Indiana State Police reiterated, and the Putnamville Post offered a reminder that scam callers are persuasive and often play on emotions and fears to obtain personal information.
The easiest way to stay protected from scam callers, the Indiana State Police said, is to either ignore unsolicited calls or hang up when something seems off.
Anyone who feels that they have been a victim of a phone scam is asked to immediately report the incident to local law enforcement and alert their bank so any payment can be stopped.
