Scam Alert Issued In East Hampton: Here’s What To Know

EAST HAMPTON, CT — Police are warning residents of a scam that has been reported in East Hampton.

Police said a resident reported Thursday that they received a call from the East Hampton Police Department’s phone number, 860-267-9544.

“The caller claimed to be a police officer from the East Hampton Police Department and requested the citizen's personal information,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “This scam involves disguising the caller's original phone number to make it appear as though the call is coming from our department. This deception is known as ‘caller ID spoofing.’ Individuals making these fraudulent calls often request payment through gift cards, Cash App, or other unconventional methods.

“If you suspect that you have been contacted fraudulently by someone claiming to be from the police department, we encourage you to either call the department directly or visit us in person to speak with an officer.”

Read more from the East Hampton Police Department below:

Remember: The East Hampton Police Department will NEVER:

- Call you demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest.

- Request personal information over the phone.

- Ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or other unusual methods.

Here's how to protect yourself:

1. Verify: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the department directly using their verified phone number, which can be found on our official website or through a trusted source.

2. Never give out personal or financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call and are sure of the recipient’s identity.

3. Be wary of urgency and threats: Scammers often try to pressure you into making quick decisions. Take your time and verify the information before taking action.

4. Report suspicious calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/).

You have the right to confirm the legitimacy of any call claiming to be from law enforcement. Stay vigilant and don't hesitate to report suspicious activity!

Additional Tips:

- Consider using a call-blocking app or service to filter out unwanted calls.

- Educate yourself about other common scams targeting residents, such as IRS impersonation or grandparent scams.

- Encourage older adults in your community to be especially cautious of phone scams.

By working together, we can stay informed and protect ourselves from these fraudulent attempts.