JOHNSTON — The Johnston Police Department issued a scam alert today after several residents reported receiving calls from individuals impersonating police officers, demanding payment for alleged missed court appearances.
The scam involves a caller falsely claiming that the resident was a witness in a court case and has subsequently missed a court date, resulting in a bench warrant being issued.
The scammers are demanding large payments to clear the supposed warrant using Bitcoin ATMs, Apple Pay, or other electronic transfer methods.
Adding to the scam’s credibility, scammers have been able to leave voicemails that appear to come from the police department’s official number.
However, they request the resident to call back at a different number to resolve the issue.
The Johnston Police Department has reminded residents that they will never request payment over the phone, nor will they ask for Bitcoin or any other electronic funds transfer methods.
If residents receive such a call, they are advised not to comply with the demands, hang up immediately, and contact the department directly at (401) 231-8100 to verify the legitimacy of the call.
Authorities urge the public to protect their personal and financial information and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
