The Yakima Police Department (YPD) is encouraging community members to be wary of an apparent scam that involves callers requesting payment to the YPD over the phone.
“The YPD does not call anyone requesting a payment of any kind,” said Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler. “If anyone receives a call from someone claiming to represent the YPD and asking for money, they should not pay.”
The YPD received multiple reports today (Wednesday, May 22nd) from people who said they had been called by someone claiming to represent the YPD. Callers are apparently requesting payment under threat of arrest.
“In addition to requesting payment, the fraudulent callers are also apparently asking for personal information,” said Beehler. “If you receive such a call, do not provide any personal information, do not agree to any payment, and contact law enforcement to report the call.”
Anyone with information about this apparent scam is urged to contact the Yakima Police Department at (509) 575-6200 or by calling 9-1-1. Tips can be also be reported to Yakima County Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-248-9980, on the organization’s website at crimestoppersyakco.org, or through the “P3 Tips” app that can be downloaded for free at p3intel.com/.