AG Tim Griffin issues consumer alert after an uptick in fraudulent phone calls

Attorney General Tim Griffin has issued a consumer alert regarding fraudulent callers claiming to be law enforcement officers.

Press Release

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement warning Arkansans about a common scam in which callers claim to be a law enforcement officer and demand payment to resolve an alleged criminal matter:

“I have received reports of an uptick in fraudulent phone calls to Arkansans involving scammers representing themselves as law enforcement officers. These unscrupulous individuals, whether live or in a pre-recorded message, employ common tactics: They claim that the person they have called has committed a criminal offense and pressure them into paying money under threat of being arrested. Or they offer a recently arrested individual the opportunity to enroll in a fake rehabilitation program.

“Any attempt to defraud consumers is disgusting, but preying on the trust Arkansans have in the law enforcement community is especially heinous. I encourage anyone who receives this type of call not to fall for the scam, hang up on the scammer, and report them to my office for investigation.”

Griffin advises consumers to follow these tips to help protect themselves against such fraudulent calls:

• Law enforcement agencies and their employees do not call asking people to send money for fees or fines using a wire transfer, a prepaid debit card or gift card.
• Bitcoin is never a legitimate form of payment.
• Don’t assume the caller is who you think it is, even if the Caller ID indicates it is Arkansas State Police or your local police department. Verify the caller’s validity by independently calling the listed number for the agency they represent and asking for that individual.
• If asked to meet, only go to the designated police station, and only agree to meet INSIDE the station.
• Do not give any personal information—Social Security number, bank information, driver’s license number, etc.—over the phone.

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