The Wilmington Police Department is putting the community on high alert regarding an uptick in phone scams. These fraudulent schemes are not unique to the region, echoing similar activities that law enforcement agencies are encountering nationwide. Scammers are impersonating officers and leveraging fabricated legal threats to intimidate their victims—be it claims of outstanding charges or warrants, as reported by the Wilmington Police Department.

It is critical for residents to understand that, putting the badge to shame, a legitimate police department will never ring you up to ask for money. And when it comes to warrants, the only way one could possibly get them cleared is by showing up at the police station, or the court that issued it—not by handing over prepaid cards or digital currency to a voice on the other end of the line.

The deception doesn't end with phony police calls. Some of these cunning callers are taking on the guise of utility companies, while others stoop to cold-hearted threats, including claims of abducting loved ones and demanding a ransom for their return.

The Wilmington Police Department are urging the public to stay vigilant against such calls, especially when they demand immediate payment or action. Anyone on the receiving end of these unsavory calls should promptly reach out to the authorities. You can verify the legitimacy of a call purported to be from the Wilmington Police by contacting their department directly at (302) 654-5151, ensuring instead of falling prey, you could be helping to spot these con artists.