ANDERSON, SC –
Authorities in Anderson are warning people about a police impersonator. In the latest case, a woman says the caller told her there was a warrant out for her arrest.
Betty Ann McIntosh says she got a threatening phone call from someone who gave a name and said he was with the police department. McIntosh explains, “(The caller) said if I don’t call this number they would take a warrant out on me.”
She called the number the caller gave her, but it was disconnected. Then she called for help. McIntosh says, “I got kind of worried and upset so I called the city police.”
The Anderson Police Department told her they did not have an officer by that name, and they were not trying to arrest her. In fact, that’s not at all how they serve warrants. Anderson Police Sergeant Tony Tilley says, “If you have an investigator call your home and they’re working a case, they will always have you come to the police department and sit down with them personally.”
This is the second time in almost a month that a person has reported getting a call from someone pretending to be an Anderson Police officer. Last month, a man told police a call showed up on his caller ID as coming from the Anderson Police Department. In that case investigators think the caller may have used a phone app that allows something called “spoofing,” where the caller disguised the number he was calling from, making it appear as the Anderson Police Department’s number. In McIntosh’s case, the phone number on her caller ID was blocked.
Sgt. Tilley says, “It’s certainly something our investigators are looking at to see if they’re (the two cases are) connected.”
McIntosh is just glad she connected with the real police. She got the first call yesterday. She says the same person called again today. McIntosh says, “I don’t bother nobody or nothing, so stuff like that scared me a little bit.”
Police are warning people saying if you get a similar call to tell the officer you want to come in person to the police department to speak with them. And if an officer comes to your door, ask to see credentials. If you’re still not satisfied, call 9-1-1 and ask dispatchers if a police officer is supposed to be at your house.
Article source: http://www2.wspa.com/news/2011/sep/30/authorities-issue-warning-after-second-report-poli-ar-2490064/
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