CUMBERLAND — The Cumberland Police Department has issued a scam alert to the community as fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers, attorneys, or bail bondsmen are on the rise.
Victims receive calls from scammers who convincingly inform them that a family member has been arrested, urging the need for immediate funds to cover legal or bail expenses.
The scammers then instruct the victims to withdraw money from their banks, place it in uniquely disguised packaging to avoid detection, and await a rideshare driver who unknowingly participates in the scam to pick up and deliver the package to a location outside the city.
Authorities emphasize that no legitimate organization, including law enforcement agencies and law firms, will ever request cash payments over the phone or use drivers to collect money.
Additionally, they warn against any demands for payment in gift cards, which is a common tactic used in such scams.
The Cumberland Police Department is actively informing the public to prevent further victimization and urges vigilance against these deceptive practices.
