Police Raise Awareness About Commonly Reported Scams

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is raising public awareness about national and reoccurring scams and ways the community can spot, avoid and report them. ACPD is cautioning the community to remain alert when receiving unsolicited calls, emails or text messages and sharing tips to help keep your personal information and finances safe.

Common Scam #1: The Outstanding Warrant and Jury Duty Scams

Scammers will pose as local law enforcement and contact potential victims accusing them of failing to appear for jury duty and stating a warrant for their arrest will be issued unless a fine is paid. Payment is often requested in the form of gift cards, cryptocurrency or digital cash transfers.

As a reminder, ACPD and the Sheriff’s Office will never call, email or text to solicit funds or collect fines over the phone. Additionally, juror summonses are sent through the mail and initial communication through any other method should be considered suspicious.

Legitimate government agencies and businesses will not call individuals and demand immediate payment in the form of gift cards, cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin) or digital cash transfers. Any unsolicited contact that puts you in fear, requests you to act quickly or states there is an emergency requiring you to provide funds or personal identifiable information is likely a scam. If you receive a call of this nature, hang up and call the government agency or business directly to verify the claim.

Common Scam #2: Spam Text Messages

Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into clicking on links and/or providing personal information such as passwords, bank/credit card account numbers or your Social Security number.

Spam text messages can take many forms including, but not limited to:

• Account Verification: Text alerts about a locked account requiring you to log in or reset your password
• Bank and Account Alerts: Texts reporting suspicious activity on your bank or other account and urging you to click a link to verify
• Fake Package Deliveries: Messages claiming a package delivery has a problem and needs verification
• Prize/Giveaway Scams: Text messages saying you’ve won a prize or giveaway and asking you to click on a link to claim it
• Unpaid Tolls: Messages claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls and providing a link to pay
• Unsolicited Job Offer: Text message offering a job that you’ve never applied for

If you get a text message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to provide personal or financial information, do not respond or click on any links. Legitimate companies, banks, and government agencies will not ask for personal information, passwords, financial details or information about your account by text. Block the number and report the text as junk or spam on your cellphone. You can also report the information to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the message to 7726 (SPAM).

Common Scam #3: Construction or Home Improvement Scams

Scammers posing as contractors go door-to-door and offer driveway sealing, roof repairs and other construction/property improvement work that is ultimately not performed following the exchange of a monetary advance in the form of cash, check or electronic payment.

Commonly, the scammers offer a lower price to grab your attention, then they will start adding extra costs for materials or equipment rentals. Once you agree for them to look at your project or allow them to provide you with a cost estimate, they will convince you that it is much more serious than it is. Before you know it, the cost for repair has gone up significantly.

Pay attention to high-pressure sales tactics, cash-only deals, on-site inspections and deals without contracts. Always research a contractor's license, get multiple detailed, written bids, pay using traceable methods and avoid paying large upfront deposits. For additional safety tips, review our construction scam alert.

Fraud Crime Prevention Tips

Reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a scam by following these crime prevention tips:

• Always be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, texts or emails.
• Be cautious of mimicked telephone numbers, websites and e-mail addresses. Even if the information displayed on the caller ID appears the same as a law enforcement or government agency, hang up and call the agency directly to verify the caller’s legitimacy.
• Never use a phone number provided to you from the caller to verify their credibility.
• Never give money or personal information to someone with whom you don't have ties and did not initiate contact with.
• Don’t click on links from unsolicited emails or text messages.
• Take your time and trust your instincts: if an unknown caller makes you uncomfortable or says things that don't sound right, hang up.

Remain fiscally secure by following these practices:

• Review your credit reports regularly and consider adding a credit alert notification which is available through various credit monitoring services. Often, accounts/loans are opened without authorization and you will not be made aware until the account has gone to debt collection. Consequently, this will negatively affect your credit score.
• Track and review your bank and credit card statements for irregular activity. Irregular activity should be reported to your bank immediately.
• Avoid unusual payment methods. No government agency or legitimate business will instruct you to resolve your debt using a payment method such as Bitcoin, money wires, cash app, mailed cash or gift cards where the identification numbers are provided over the phone.
• Do not respond to e-mails or text messages requesting you to “confirm,” “update,” or “provide” account information.

Report Scams

If you find that you were a target or victim of a scam, please file an online police report or call the Alternative Reporting Unit at 703-228-4300.

Please note: the information provided in this press release is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible scams currently circulating. Individuals seeking additional information about fraud are encouraged to visit our financial crimes information webpage.

Media Contact

Communications Manager
Ashley Savage
703-228-4331

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