PULLMAN, Wash. – People from across Washington have received phone calls from someone claiming to be an official with the Washington State University Police Department.
The caller demands money and threatens legal trouble if funds are not sent. Most alarming is that caller ID shows the name and phone number from a legitimate police agency.
Neither the WSU Police nor any law enforcement agency will ever call someone demanding money. Even if the caller is able to provide sensitive information (last four digits of social security number, address, date of birth, etc.) do not provide information to them; this is part of the scam.
If you receive a call like this, do not send money. If you have questions or concerns, call the WSU police at 509-335-8548.
There is a growing trend nationwide of citizens receiving fraudulent phone calls from people claiming to be affiliated with law enforcement. Follow these links for additional information on caller ID spoofing:
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/caller-id-and-spoofing
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Reiterates-Warning-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam
Contact:
Matthew Kuhrt, WSU police, 509-335-8548