Scam Alert: Fake Police Calls Reported Across Hudson Valley

Scams On The Rise Across the Hudson Valley

Another day, another scam. Unfortunately there are reports of specific town or city scams making the rounds in the Hudson Valley.

As always, we want to remind readers that law enforcement and banks will never ask for you to pay over the phone or through text message.

If you receive a link through text or email unsolicited, it's best to reach out to the organization to make sure the link is legitimate.

READ MORE: Tricky Widespread USPS Text Scam Hits New York

These are telltale signs that a scam is in the works. The latest scam making the rounds includes a phone call from local law enforcement.

Kingston Police Warn of New Phone Scam

The Kingston Police Department had to release a statement regarding a new phone scam that mentions Deputy Chief Ricky Negron.

In a statement shared on social media the Kingston Police Department writes:

The suspect is spoofing the phone number of the Kingston Police Department and identifying himself as “Deputy Chief Ricky Negron.”  Kingston PD goes on to explain that the caller will tell the victim "their credit card was used at a Walmart in San Antonio, Texas and that they are the subject of a fraud investigation."

Then the suspect "attempts to intimidate victims by telling them that if they go to the police station they will be arrested."

Cleary this is a scam. Kingston PD confirms, writing "Please be advised that this is a scam."

Once again, they stress law enforcement will "never contact members of the public by phone to demand personal information, banking information, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or payments."

Carmel Police Warn Of Similar Phone Scam in Putnam County

A few counties over in Carmel, New York, their police department is sharing a warning about a similar scam in their community.

The Carmel Police Department took a humorous approach to their warning.

They write:

If your phone rings and some guy with a name straight out of a 90s cop show — “Detective Andrew Thompson,” “Lt. Jack McBain,” or any other TV-drama special — tells you he’s with the Carmel PD and you’re “involved in a case,” here’s the part where we all laugh:

We don’t do that.

While it's a pretty funny way to approach a scam, the Carmel Police Department wants to reiterate that if you're "actually part of an investigation" they'll knock on your door or invite you down to the station "for a chat."

They say if you do receive a call from a "Detective Thompson" and the call sounds sketchy, hang up immediately. Carmel PD says

Stay safe, stay skeptical, and if it sounds like a cop show… it probably is. Just without the real cops.