Fraud Alert: Scam Phone Calls Pretending to be Newark Police

Over the past week, the Newark Police Department has received calls from residents about a telephone scam involving a person posing as a police officer from the Newark Police Department.  During the call, the caller uses the name of a real Newark Police Officer while advising the victim that they failed to appear in court and/or there is a warrant for their arrest.  The caller requests payment to avoid arrest.

Residents who receive such a call are advised to promptly hang-up.  The Newark Police will not ask someone to handle a warrant over the phone or request any sort of payment.  If you have a question about the legitimacy of a phone call purportedly from a member of the Newark Police Department, you can contact our dispatch center 24/7 at (302) 366-7111.

This scam is well known to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  Tips to avoid being the victim of a fraud and further information can be found here.

Residents can report receipt of a similar call to the FTC by clicking here.