UVM Police are warning community members about an active phone scam in which fraudsters are spoofing the UVM Police department’s official phone number. Callers falsely identify themselves as UVM Police employees and claim the recipient is facing arrest or has had their personal information compromised. In previous similar incidents, scammers went on to request photographs or money via electronic transfer services such as Western Union.

While these callers may possess some of the recipient’s personal information, it has been gathered from public records — they have no access to law enforcement databases or warrant systems. UVM Police emphasize that they will never call to request money, payment information, photographs, or to warn of an ongoing investigation or open warrant. Any such call is a scam. This type of fraud has also been carried out by people impersonating other government agencies, including the IRS and FBI, and no legitimate government or law enforcement agency will ever demand payment or alert you to a warrant by phone.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call claiming to be from UVM Police should tell the caller they wish to hang up and call back, then independently dial the official number — 802-656-3473 — to verify the contact. Those who have already received such a call or have additional information are encouraged to contact UVM Police Services directly at that same number.