The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, March 28, 2024, Image 7

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The champion newspaper., March 28, 2024, Image 7

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Newspaper Page TextLOCAL THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2024 • PAGE 7 City of Decatur Police Department is warning residents that phone scammers are pretending to be police officers and demanding money. Photo courtesy of City of Decatur Police Department Decatur police put out warning about phone scammers BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Officials with the Decatur Police Department are warning residents to be aware of a phone scam that is once again making the rounds. "A common phone scam is happening again," stated a so cial media post by Decatur Police Department. "An unknown person will call stating the victim has a warrant, has missed a court date, or has an unpaid fine. The scammers then de mand that the victim pay money, generally over the phone, to make the issue go away." Officials said what is particularly troubling about the scam this time is that the scammers are pretending to be Decatur police officers. "There is not a police department anywhere that will call demanding money," said Decatur police. "Do not give person al or financial information to anyone over the phone claiming they are a law enforcement officer, even if they claim to be a police officer from a local jurisdiction." Last year, DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox said citizens lost thousands of dollars to phone scammers and that one victim lost approximately $14,000 to a phone scam. Maddox reiterated that the sheriff's office will never contact anyone by phone or ask for personal information or payment to avoid arrest. Callers sometimes pose as DeKalb County deputies or oth er employees of the agency, said Maddox. The scammer often tells victims they may be arrested on a warrant that does not exist or for not appearing to serve jury duty, then the scam mer offers to help the victim avoid arrest by paying a fee, gen erally through prepaid money cards, stated officials. "(The victims) are being targeted by a criminal," said Maddox, who asked that anyone receiving these types of calls hang up immediately. "Do not engage in conversation with the caller and please do not give them any personal or finan cial information such as social security card or bank account numbers." Maddox said scammers have boldly told callers to meet them in the sheriff's office parking lot to pay the fraudulent fees to avoid being arrested. Officials with the sheriff's de partment said the scammers rely on fear to motivate targets to follow their instructions and they are known to prey on senior citizens and immigrants. To report a scammer to the Decatur Police Department, call 404-373-6551. To report a scam call from someone pretending to be a representative of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, call 404- 298-8200 or 404-298-8282. Those reporting scam callers are also asked to file a Federal Bureau of Investigation report at www.ic3.gov. This year’s Youth Academy will be held at police headquarters in Tucker, pictured here. Photo courtesy of DeKalb County Police Department POLICE Continued From Page 3 goody bag. An application is required, and parents or guardians can request an application by contacting Sgt. Howard Jenkins at hjen- kins@dekalbcountyga.gov or by calling 404-840-3225. Visit https://www.dekalb- countyga.gov/police-ser- vices/dekalb-county-po- lice-departmentfor more information. MARTA Airport Station Temporary Closure April 8 - May 19 Travel Time Allow an extra 30 minutes when traveling to the airport MARTA Shuttles provided between College Park Station and the North Terminal / Lower Level (doors lni, ln2)