Campus Police warn of phone scam

  Friday, August 26, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University police are making the campus community aware of an ongoing phone scam in which individuals are contacted and advised to pay money or provide personal information.

The most frequent scam involves callers who claim to represent law enforcement or government officials. The suspects will tell the victim they have an existing warrant for their arrest or owe money and threaten to arrest them if they do not pay the fine. They will then request payment through a wire transfer, by having the victim provide credit or debit card information or by having the victim purchase a prepaid debit card and provide the number of the card over the phone.

“Phone scammers are criminals who use fear and intimidation to get what they want,” said Mike McCracken, director of university police. “This particular scam isn’t new but it can be unsettling if you don’t know the facts. No law enforcement or government official will ever ask you to provide money or personal information over the phone. Period.”

University police suggest you take the following actions if you believe you are being scammed. First, request the official’s name and badge number, and then ask to call the official immediately back at the agency’s published phone numbers.  If you still believe the call to be authentic, contact local law enforcement before sending any money or providing any information.

If you have already received a similar phone call and believe you are a victim of fraud, please contact university police or a local law enforcement agency and request to file a report.