Residents in Alexandria are being warned about a disturbing phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers and pressure victims into handing over money. The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of this scam, which is spreading across the region.
The scam typically follows a familiar pattern: the caller falsely claims the victim is facing legal trouble, such as an outstanding warrant due to missed court appearances, jury duty, or unpaid fines. To add legitimacy, scammers use the names of real deputies or police officers and manipulate the caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from a local law enforcement agency.
Sheriff Sean Casey has urged residents to hang up immediately if they receive such a call, emphasizing that no legitimate law enforcement officer will demand money or threaten arrest over the phone. Scammers often use fear tactics, pressuring victims to make quick payments using cash, credit cards, gift cards, payment apps, or even cryptocurrency.
Authorities have stressed that no agency in Virginia or the surrounding areas would request payment in this manner. If you receive a suspicious call, do not provide any personal or financial information. Hang up right away and report the incident to the police at 703-746-4444.
In addition to this scam, experts warn about other fraudulent calls, such as tech and customer support fraud, where scammers impersonate company staff to steal personal details or financial information. The FBI advises users to be cautious of unsolicited calls and never grant remote access to unknown individuals.
Stay vigilant and protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.
