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JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT

6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808

Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect

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INFORMATION RELEASE

Subject: Phone Scam
Date: 2018-12-28
From: Erann Kalwara - JPD PIO
Case or Incident: #181228-007
Summary:

The Juneau Police Department has received multiple calls today reference scammers representing themselves as JPD employees. The scammers “spoofed” the phone number displaying on caller ID to make it appear to be the JPD main phone number. They shared a call back number that is provisioned with an automated voice sharing “phone tree” type selections with phony names and police work units.

Unfortunately, one Juneau man received a call demanding $3,000 to reconcile outstanding warrants for his arrest. The 72 year old man obtained gift cards from a retail store and provided the information to the scammer telephonically.

This scam has been around for some time and involves a suspect calling a potential victim claiming that money is needed to clear something up – an overdue bill, back taxes – or else a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The caller demands the potential victim send money through an online account or orders them to get a prepaid debit card to resolve the issue and provide the card’s numbers to the caller.

Residents should be aware that JPD members will never contact them in such a manner to demand money, nor will any other reputable organization. If you receive such a call, do not provide any financial or personal information. Hang up. If in doubt, call JPD at the published number.

 

All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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