AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn Police Department reminds citizens to use caution when providing personal information over the phone or the internet. Recently, the Police Department has been made aware of various phone scams perpetrated by individuals outside the Auburn area, some even in other countries.

Some scams involve residents being informed that the caller is from a government agency seeking information or collecting funds instead of prosecution, usually purported to be a warrant or tax penalty. In some cases, the caller urges the victim to load money owed to the respective agency on a Green Dot card or a digital wallet. In other cases, suspects have listed the property for sale by owner or rent without the property owner’s knowledge. Victims were then requested to send money via an electronic wire transfer service to another city.

The Police Department cautions those who would consider providing the personal information requested through an unsolicited call, email, letter, etc. Representatives of government and law enforcement agencies and utility service providers will not ask that someone purchase a specific card to pay fees or fines. If you receive a questionable call, hang up and call back using a recognized number for the organization in question or contact the police.

Contact the Community Services Division of the Auburn Police Department at 334-501-3110 for more information on safety tips or advice on keeping you and your personal information secure and safe. Remember to call the police at 911 or the anonymous tip line 334-246-1391 to report anything suspicious.

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