Columbus police warn of scammers faking office number

Columbus police are warning of scammers pretending to be officers and spoofing the official department phone number.

According to police, callers have been reaching out to residents claiming to be with the police department, and demanding payment over the phone. They say the victim has to make the payment with a store gift card, or by Bitcoin.

Columbus police stress that officials will never demand immediate payment over the phone. No legitimate organization demands payment through prepaid cards, gift cards or Bitcoin and any payments made that way will be anonymous and hard to track down. You should also never give out your personal information to a caller.

If you receive a suspicious call that appears to be from the police department, officers suggest that you hang up and call the dispatch center directly at 812-379-1689.