Arlington County Police are warning residents about a phone scam that’s getting more aggressive—and more convincing. Scammers are pretending to be officers, using caller ID spoofing to make it look like the call is coming from the police department’s non-emergency number.
These fake callers are telling people they owe money or need to report to the police station immediately. It’s a lie. And it’s working—some residents have already been tricked.
What’s especially dangerous is how real the call can seem. The scammer might use the actual police non-emergency number (703-558-2222) to show up on your caller ID. But don’t trust what you see on the screen. That number can be faked.
The real police want you to know: They will never call to demand money. Ever.
If you get one of these calls, hang up. Don’t answer any questions. Don’t give out personal information. And don’t call back using a number the scammer gives you.
Instead, call the real Arlington non-emergency line at 703-558-2222 yourself and ask if the call was legitimate. If it turns out you were scammed or targeted, you can report it online through the police department’s website.
The Financial Crimes Unit also has tips to help you avoid becoming a victim. It’s worth a few minutes to look them over. These scams are getting more sophisticated, and anyone can be a target.