Authorities are warning of a police scam involving a caller posing as an Auburn Hills Police Officer.
According to a release, the scam involves the caller telling residents that they must pay for outstanding tickets or warrants and if they do not pay immediately, a police car will be dispatched to arrest them.
The victim is asked to provide iTunes cards or Green Dot prepaid cards to make payments.
When victims have called back the number on their caller ID, they report hearing a voice recording posing as the Auburn Hills Police Department. Police say the number residents have been contacted from is not the Auburn Hills Police Department contact number.
Residents are also prompted to select from a list of police department bureaus in an effort for the scam to appear legitimate.
Additionally, the police department does not take any form of payment for bond, or any other service over the phone. Residents should be cautious anytime they are asked to resolve any payment by telephone.
If you've been contacted by a suspicious number, you're encouraged to contact the agency or company allegedly calling by using an established and self-obtained contact number to verify the legitimacy, police say. Never use the number provided by the caller.
Here are some additional tips of what to do if you are contacted by a scammer, or are the victim of a scam:
1. Do not give out any personal information.
2. Do not call the scammer via the caller ID or the number they provide.
3. Do not provide ANY form of payment.
4. Hang up and contact your local police agency to report the incident. These people are trying to
steal your money, do not feel bad about disconnecting the call immediately. The contact
number for the Auburn Hills Police Department is 248-370-9460.
5. Share your situation on social media to warn others. The best prevention is to make other people aware.
