WAHPETON, N.D. (KFGO) – Scammers have hijacked the main phone line of the Wahpeton Police Department to impersonate the local police chief and demand money from residents, law enforcement officials warned Monday.
The department says fraudulent callers are spoofing the department’s standard phone number, 701-642-7722, and posing as Police Chief Matthew Anderson. The scammers claim to call on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission and demand immediate payment in the form of money orders or cashier’s checks.
Officials noted that the fraudulent incoming calls have been displaying on caller ID screens as “Apeton Police Department”.
Police emphasized that the calls are a scam and that legitimate officers will never contact members of the public to demand funds or threaten arrest.
“The Wahpeton Police Department will never contact an individual to demand payment or threaten arrest in this manner,” the department stated in a public notice.
Residents who receive a similar call or have questions regarding suspicious communications are urged to contact the Wahpeton Police Department directly at 701-642-7722.
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