State Police Warn Public of Phone Scam Where Caller Claims to be a State Trooper

The New York State Police are warning against a phone scam where callers are claiming to be state troopers.

Many of the calls center around the Highland, NY area.

During the calls, scammers say they are a member of the New York State Police and that charges are pending against the person. The scammers then request money or bank information.

Neither the state police, nor any agency authorized by it, will ever solicit for money or ask for personal information over the phone.

The New York State Office of the Attorney General investigates illegal and questionable telemarketing operations in New York State.

Anyone who receives a solicitation by telephone, mail, email or in person, from someone seeking money and who purports to be a representative or employee of the New York State Police, or suggests an affiliation with the New York State Police, is advised to get as many details as possible about the caller and to report this to the New York State Attorney Generals Charities Bureau or the nearest Attorney Generals Office.

As a matter of crime prevention, people should be wary of solicitors who:

• Do not provide an address or phone number;
  
• Demand immediate payment or payment in cash;
  
• Seem vague as to how contributions will be spent;
  
• Refuse to provide financial information about a charitable organization;
  
• Appear angry or impatient when asked reasonable questions about the organization they represent or the programs for which contributions will be used.