The Maryland State Police are urging citizens to remain vigilant following multiple reports of a phone scam where individuals impersonate law enforcement officers to illicitly gather personal information. Reports indicate that the scammers are identifying themselves as members of the Maryland State Police or as deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.
Victims have noted that the caller IDs often mimic actual phone numbers from these law enforcement agencies, adding a layer of deceit to the scam. Maryland State Police are advising the public to exercise caution if they receive a call that seems suspicious. Individuals should request the caller’s name, rank, badge number, and assignment before providing any personal information.
To ensure the legitimacy of the call, citizens should hang up and directly contact the Maryland State Police barrack or local police department the caller claimed to represent for verification. Officials emphasize that Maryland State Police will never ask for money or financial details over the phone.
The authorities are urging individuals not to disclose sensitive information such as bank account numbers or social security numbers over the phone without confirming the caller’s identity. If someone believes they have inadvertently provided personal information to a scammer, they are advised to contact their financial institutions immediately.
Additional steps include reporting the incident to the police and filing a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. The Maryland State Police continue to encourage everyone to be cautious of such fraudulent activities and to report suspicious calls to help prevent further scams.
