Police in Jackson warn of phone scam involving people claiming federal affiliation

The Jackson Police Department warns of a phone scam in which callers say they’re from a federal agency and threaten arrest if money reportedly owed is not paid, police said in a release.

Police in Jackson have received calls from people outside the township since the department’s number appeared in their Caller ID.

“Unknown persons making calls and representing themselves as employees of a federal agency have been making calls to individuals claiming that they face arrest if they do not pay money reportedly owed and that they can make payment with a pre-paid debit card to avoid charges,” police said in the release.

While a return number left has a 646 area code, the display on Caller ID is the department’s 928-1111 number, according to police. A lieutenant from the Jackson Police Department called the return number and was hung up on. Additional calls were made to the number, which appears to be out of service, police added. 

“Please pass along this information and be advised that this activity has no affiliation with the Jackson Police Department,” police said.