Gulfport police warn of phone scam impersonating officers
The Gulfport Police Department said residents should be on alert for a phone scam in which callers impersonate officers and demand payment to avoid arrest.
The department said callers may claim you missed jury duty, have an outstanding warrant, owe fines or must make an immediate payment to avoid arrest. The department said it will never demand payment over the phone and will never request payment through gift cards, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency or electronic payment apps.
Officials urged residents not to provide personal, financial or banking information to unsolicited callers. If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, contact the Gulfport Police Department directly at 228-868-5959 to verify the information, the department said.
Impersonation scams commonly try to create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information. The department asked residents to share the warning to help protect family, friends and neighbors from fraud.
This is a developing situation. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
