The Orleans Police Department is alerting the community to a scam that has recently been reported locally, known as the “authority scam.”
In these cases, scammers pose as someone in a position of authority - such as a police officer, government agency, bank, or company - to pressure individuals into sending money or sharing personal information. They often create a sense of urgency, claiming you’re in trouble or need to act immediately to avoid serious consequences.
These scams can come through phone calls, emails, or text messages, and may even appear to come from legitimate phone numbers.
The most important thing to remember: slow down and verify. Legitimate organizations will not demand immediate payment or ask for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
If something doesn’t feel right, hang up or stop responding and contact the organization directly using official contact information. If you believe you’ve been targeted or experienced a financial loss, please contact the Orleans Police Department.
