Asheville Police Issue Warning: Scam Caller Impersonates Police Chief

Scam Alert: Fraudulent Caller Poses as Asheville Police Chief

Asheville Police Department (APD) issued a stern warning on Saturday about an active phone scam involving a fake police official impersonating their Chief of Police. The imposter, who claims to be Chief Michael Lamb, manipulatively requests contact over a supposed urgent family matter. Simultaneously, the scam caller makes ambiguous threats about active arrest warrants, raising concern and fear in unsuspecting victims. This recent scam is a disturbing example of the escalating danger of phone scams, particularly when the fraudsters claim to be representatives of law enforcement.

APD Offers Advice to Deal with Phone Scam

Further to the warning, the APD shared valuable advice on how to respond if one falls prey to such dubious calls. Authorities emphasize not to share sensitive information or conduct any sort of financial transactions over the phone, especially when arrest warrants are threatened. If any citizen receives such a call, they are advised first to ask for the name and number of the alleged ‘police official’ and pledge to call them back directly. Then, they should contact the APD at (828) 252-1110 to report the potential scam. Additionally, they suggest disconnecting the call without providing any details would also be a safe approach.

Citizens can also reach out to the Asheville Police Department discretely through their tip line. They just need to text ‘TIP2APD’ to 847411 (TIP411). This will also ensure that law enforcement can keep track of these scam incidents and work more efficiently to tackle them.

Community Alert: Beware of Scam Calls

The APD’s warning underlines the disturbing rise in telephone scams and the continual need for vigilant public awareness. Phone scams are attempted fraudulent schemes conducted through telephone calls by fraudsters seeking to deceive people into providing personal information or money. Many scammers use sophisticated tricks such as caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate, and they often pose as representatives of trusted, familiar entities such as government offices, businesses, charities, or well-known individuals. These fraudulent activities can leave devastating financial and emotional impacts on their victims. Thus, it is crucial to remain alert and safeguard against potential phone scams.

Coping with Phone Scams: Know the Signs

Recognizing the tell-tale signs of a probable phone scam can offer invaluable protection. Apart from the APD’s advice, here are some additional tips:
Always be suspicious if an unsolicited caller requests sensitive personal or financial information. Legitimate organizations typically refrain from asking for such information over the phone.
Double-check the caller’s identity. If the caller claims to be from a particular organization, hang up and call the official number listed on the organization’s website to verify the validity of the call.
Beware of aggression or intimidation. Scammers often use threats or urgency to provoke immediate action or cause panic. A genuine entity would not use such tactics to force action.
Report every suspicious call to local law enforcement or to the appropriate authority. This action not only protects oneself but will also aid in tracking and tackling the scammers.

The recent events in Asheville demonstrate the importance of enforcing these guidelines diligently. Communities must remain vigilant and cautious when receiving any unfamiliar or dubious calls. By staying informed and proactive, we can better protect ourselves and our communities from becoming victims of these malicious scams.