Phone Scammer Impersonates Westfield Police to Steal 13 Thousand Dollars

A local resident was defrauded of thirteen thousand dollars after falling victim to a caller impersonating a Westfield Police Department officer. The Westfield Police Department issued a public safety warning advising residents about telephone spoofing tactics used by financial scammers.

The caller spoofed the official Westfield Police Department main phone number to appear legitimate on caller ID screens. Union County Life confirmed that the scammer claimed the victim had outstanding legal warrants or unpaid fines that required immediate payment to avoid arrest.

Under pressure, the victim followed instructions to transfer thirteen thousand dollars via wire transfer or gift card deposits before realizing the call was fraudulent. Authorities emphasize that municipal police departments never demand immediate payment over the phone, nor do they accept gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to resolve legal matters.

Chief Christopher Battiloro and department officials urged community members to remain vigilant when receiving unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies. Anyone receiving a suspicious call should hang up immediately and dial the police department directly using a verified phone number from the official municipal website.

Residents who believe they have been targeted by a phone scam or lost funds to impersonators should report the incident to the Westfield Police Department non-emergency line at nine zero eight seven eight nine four thousand or visit the station at four twenty-five East Broad Street.

FAQ

Q: Will the Westfield Police Department ever call to demand payment for a warrant over the phone?

A: No, law enforcement agencies in New Jersey never call residents demanding immediate payment, gift cards, or wire transfers to resolve legal warrants or unpaid fines.

Q: What should I do if I receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a Westfield police officer?

A: Hang up immediately and call the official Westfield Police Department non-emergency number at 908-789-4000 to verify the caller's identity.

Q: How do phone scammers make their calls look like they are coming from the Westfield Police Department?

A: Scammers use caller ID spoofing technology to display official department phone numbers on your phone screen to gain trust.