Adrian, MI – The Adrian Police Department is asking local residents to be on alert for spam phone calls that use something called “spoofing” software…making calls seem like they are coming from a familiar number.
The APD says that on October 6th, Detectives received a suspicious call from an elderly woman indicating she needed police assistance for an unknown problem. Detectives discovered she had fallen victim to a scammer pretending to be an employee of the United States Federal Trade Commission. The scammer had tricked the elderly woman into withdrawing $18,000 cash from her bank and was still on the phone threatening to arrest her if she did not send him the money. Detectives spoke with the scammer but were hung up on.
The scammer then called the elderly woman’s phone again using spoofing software to make his phone number appear on her Caller ID as (517)264-4808 – the phone number of the Adrian Police Department. A detective answered, and the scammer claimed to be “Officer David Wesson”. When confronted, the scammer threatened to arrest the Detectives for interfering. He was instructed to come down to the Police Department and try make an arrest, but has not yet shown up.
The Adrian Police Department would like to remind residents that Caller ID should not automatically be trusted, as “spoofing” software allows Caller ID to be modified. Additionally, no Federal agency or business will ever request that cash be mailed. Many scammers offer fake badge numbers or customer service representative numbers to sound more believable. Do not believe a caller’s identity unless you know the caller or can confirm they are who they claim to be. When in doubt, hang up and call the entity phone numbers posted on official websites.
Anyone who believes someone is trying to scam them should contact Detective Kevin Putnam at 517-264-4819, or submit their information via email at kputnam@adrianmi.gov. If you have fallen victim to a successful scam, please contact the Adrian Police Department at (517)264-4808 to speak with an Officer.
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