Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Residents are being urged to hang up immediately if they receive a phone call demanding payment while claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office, as a spoofing scam targets the city.
According to the Office of the Sheriff of Philadelphia, scammers are impersonating law enforcement and requesting money through apps like Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or even by check—methods officials say they will never use. Authorities stress they do not contact residents by phone to demand payment or personal information.
The scam relies on caller ID spoofing, making the call appear legitimate. Victims may be pressured to act quickly or face supposed legal consequences. Officials warn that any such request is fraudulent and should be treated as an immediate red flag.
Residents across Philadelphia neighborhoods are advised to avoid sharing personal or financial details and to end suspicious calls right away. Anyone who receives one of these calls should report it to the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 and notify local law enforcement.
Officials say the scam remains active, and additional alerts could follow as reports increase across the region.
