Scam caller impersonating Chesterfield police officer to target residents

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Chesterfield County Police Department is warning residents of a scam where the caller pretends to be a police officer to defraud victims.

On Tuesday, April 15, the department announced that it had received reports of a scam caller impersonating a Chesterfield police officer and demanding personal and/or financial information from residents.

According to police, the caller sometimes claims to be one of the department's corporals or uses other titles that sound official in an effort to make you believe them.

Genuine law enforcement will never call you to ask for money or to request your payment information or personal details. It is always a scam.

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Other signs you may be talking to a scammer include the call being from an unknown or blocked number, or the demands being based on alleged legal action they claim is being taken against you.

Police said you should never give these scammers your personal information, including banking information. Instead, you should hang up immediately and report the incident to Chesterfield authorities at 804-748-1251.

"Help us spread the word to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these scams," the department said.