The Hume Police District has had several reports of scam phone calls recently.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police said the callers contacted residents from what appeared to be trusted NSW Police Force numbers and "threatened" the call recipients with fines or arrest.
Officers said scammers used technology to make it appear the calls originated from legitimate police phone numbers; a practice known as ID spoofing.
The caller impersonates a NSW Police Force officer and states that the person receiving the call has an outstanding fine or warrant.
The scammer demands a form of payment to prevent arrest or further court action.
The NSW Police Force will never call a member of the public and demand payment over the phone in order to avoid going to court or being arrested.
If you get an unexpected call from someone who states they're from the police, and starts asking for personal details or threatens you, police advise you hang up.
If you're concerned, you can always verify by contacting the Southern Highlands Police Station or the Police Assistance Line directly on 131 444.
To find out more information about scams, or to find out other ways to protect yourself, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.
If you have been the victim of a scam, you can report it to local police or to the ACCC online at the 'SCAMwatch report a scam' page.