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From staff reports
LEWISTOWN -- Mifflin County Regional Police Department issued a scam alert Tuesday stating that a resident received a phone call from an individual from the Mifflin County sheriff's office requesting "payment for overdue citations."
The notice from police says the individual threatened arrest for failure to pay.
"Although this is not a new scam...the caller used an actual MCRPD police officer's name and badge number," the report stated. "In addition, the caller 'spoofed' the number they were calling from, so on the recipient's caller identification, it appeared the call was truly coming from the Mifflin County Sheriff's Department."
The report continues, stating that law enforcement "never call an individual soliciting money and/or payment for any reason. It doesn't happen."
The report continued, saying that those receiving the call should pay attention to the method of payment requested.
"Payment requested via pre-paid cards or similar non-traditional money transfer means should be immediately recognized as fraud."
The report warned that scammers may have a certain amount of correct information to help themselves seem credible.
"Do not confirm or provide any personal information. Do not provide credit card or banking information," the report stated.
Individuals receiving these calls should hang up and call Mifflin County Communications at (717) 248-9607 and request to speak with an officer, or proceed to the nearest police station.
"Do not send money. Once you do, recovery is nearly impossible."