Scam Alert Involving the New Paltz Police Department

Unfortunately, we are only 3 months into 2025, and we are already dealing with a number of scams in the Hudosn Valley.

Latest Scam Going Around Ulster County Involves the New Paltz Police

The latest scam to be reported this week comes from the Town of New Paltz Police Department.  This scam is a dangerous one because it involves someone pretending to be a police officer.

One Monday, which happened to be April Fool's Day some someone was not joking when they called a Gardiner resident pretending to be a member of the New Paltz Police Department. The caller actually claimed they were Chief Matthew E Sutton, shield number 30074 of the New Paltz Sound Police.

Get our free mobile app

The caller told the person who answered the phone that they were from Homeland Security and that they were investigating purchases the person had made. The victim did have caller ID, and the number on the screen read 845-255-1323. The troubling part about the number is that it is the main phone line to the Town of New Paltz Police Department.

READ More: Earlier This Year, the Government Warned About Phone Scammers

Fortunately, the victim recognized it as a scam even though the caller ID displayed the Police department's number. They hung up on the caller and then called the Real New Paltz Police to report it.

If you believe you are the recipient of a call that may be a scam, hang up and then call the agency back to see if they are aware. Don't hit redial on the number that called you, the scammer will most likely expect you to hit redial.

You can read the full press release from the Town of New Paltz Police Department that they shared on social media here. They are asking anyone who may have received a similar call to contact them directly at 845-255-1323.