The Dallas Police Department is warning the public about a rise in phone scams impersonating local officials, according to a press release posted on its blog site.
Police said they have seen an increase in phone scams impersonating local police departments, judges, and other city officials.
The caller will advise the potential victim that they have fines for outstanding warrants, missed jury duty, or failure to appear for a court proceeding, police said.
The caller will demand that the potential victim remains on the line until the bail bond or fine has been paid.
In some cases, the caller will ask to meet the potential victim at a bail bond office, where the subsequent transaction takes place in the parking lot.
Anyone who has suffered a loss in one of these scams should contact the Dallas Police Department Financial Investigations Unit at 214-671-3543 or by email at [email protected] or go to their nearest police substation to file a report.