Police emphasized that department personnel will not call residents and ask them to send money. Photo courtesy of the Elk Grove Police Department

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Elk Grove police are warning residents about fraudulent phone calls from scammers impersonating police department personnel and demanding money.

The Elk Grove Police Department said in a social media statement it has received reports of callers pretending to be law enforcement officers in an effort to solicit payments from residents.

Police emphasized that department personnel will not call residents and ask them to send money.

Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency by claiming a resident or family member has an outstanding warrant, owes money or could face arrest unless payment is made immediately, according to the department.

Police advised residents not to send money or provide personal information to anyone who makes an unsolicited call claiming to be a police officer. That includes Social Security numbers, banking information, passwords and verification codes.

Residents should also be cautious even when caller ID appears to show a legitimate law enforcement number. Scammers can use technology to spoof phone numbers and make a call appear to come from an official agency.

Anyone unsure whether a call is legitimate should hang up and contact the Elk Grove Police Department directly using an official, publicly listed phone number rather than a number provided by the caller.

Residents who receive suspicious calls are encouraged not to engage with the caller or follow payment instructions.

The department is asking people to report suspected scam calls by calling 916-714-5115.

Police also encouraged residents to share the warning with family members, friends and neighbors, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to phone scams.