River Falls Phone Scam Alert 9/15/2017

Several residents have called River Falls Police today after receiving calls asking for money, which appear to be coming from the RFPD non-emergency line.

These calls which appear on caller ID’s as (715)425-0909 are the result of caller ID fraud, or “spoofing,” and are not coming from RFPD’s 911 communications center.

The fraudsters, while claiming to be from the city, are using several different ruses attempting to scam the victims of money. Suspects are using ploys ranging from simply asking for money to telling the subjects they are under investigation or have outstanding fines.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, please hang up and call the River Falls Police at (715)425-0909.

Students are reminded that police, government agencies, etc. will NEVER call you and demand money. Please consider the following tips:

• If you receive a telephone call from someone telling you they are a police officer or other government employee, and they are demanding you send them money, do not engage with the caller. Immediately hang up.
• NEVER give bank account, credit card, or personal information to someone who calls you.
• If you feel threatened or unsafe, hang up and call 911.
• If you lost money because of this scam, call the UW-River Falls Police Department at (715) 425-3133.
• If you received one of these phone calls, it is not necessary to contact UWRF PD. You only need to call and file a report if you have lost money from this scam.