URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – Are your loved ones safe from telephone scams? The Urbana Police Department (UPD) issued an alert about an individual targeting residents through their phones and falsely claiming to represent UPD to obtain bank account information.
UPD says that an Urbana resident in his 70s reported repeated predatory calls from a suspicious individual who claimed to represent them with caller ID even displaying UPD’s phone number (217-384-2320). UPD reported that a caller threatened the gentleman, falsely claiming that his bank account was at risk, in an attempt to obtain personal information.
The threats escalated with arrest and involvement with federal authorities after several attempts to obtain personal information. UPD reminds you that they will never ask for bank account information and requests for personal information will usually be made in person. The best prevention, they say, is to stay informed.
“Please be aware that scammers can ‘spoof’ phone numbers to appear legitimate. However, returning the call to the displayed number will connect you to the actual Urbana Police Department, not the scammer.” said UPD in a press release.