Paris police are warning citizens about a scam involving “Caller ID Spoofing,” where calls falsely appeared to come from the Paris Police Department.
A complainant reported the caller ID displayed the 903-784-6688 (Paris Police Department’s main phone number) and that impersonator had a foreign accent butidentified themselves as Detective Cody Logsden.
The impersonator attempted to persuade the complainant to provide their credit/debit card information.
“The Paris Police Department will never contact someone and request financial information over the phone unless a person (as a complainant/ victim) contacts the department to report a financial crime.”
In Texas, caller ID spoofing, which involves falsifying the information displayed on a caller ID, is illegal under Texas Penal Code Section 33A.051. This law, enacted in 2019, prohibits the display of false caller ID information with the intent to defraud or cause harm. Violators can face penalties including up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine
Caller ID Spoofing is when scammers manipulate caller ID to display a false phone number, often mimicking a local number, a company you recognize (like your bank or utility), or even a government agency.
Scammers will often spoof law enforcement agencies’ phone numbers to target victims into thinking the police, a trusted source, is calling them.
Protecting yourself from spoofing scams:
- Don’t Answer Unknown Calls or Respond to Unsolicited Messages: Even if the Caller ID appears familiar, it’s safer to let calls from unknown numbers go to voicemail. If a message seems suspicious, don’t click links, reply, or call back.
- Verify the Source: If you receive a suspicious communication (call, email, or text) claiming to be from a company or agency, hang up or delete the message, then contact the organization directly using a verified phone number or email address found on their official website or bill. Don’t use the contact information provided in the suspicious message.
- Be Wary of Pressure and Urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency or threaten consequences to rush you into making a decision or revealing information. Take a moment to think critically before acting.
- Never Share Personal Information: Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive details like your password, Social Security number, or PIN over the phone or in an unsolicited email or text.
Use Strong Security Practices:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all your online accounts.
- Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager.
- Keep your devices and software updated.
- Install antivirus software and enable spam filtering.
Report Suspicious Activity:
- File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/complaints ifyou receive unwanted calls or texts, or suspect spoofing scams.
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov, the Texas AttorneyGeneral or the Public Utility Commission.
- Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 (SPAM) to help your carrier block scam numbers.
- Report email spoofing attempts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
“By staying vigilant, exercising caution, and implementing these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to spoofing scams.”
