Fort Wayne, IN – The Fort Wayne Police Department is urging residents to stay alert after a recent increase in reports of phone scams targeting community members. The scams, officials warn, can lead to significant financial losses if victims are deceived into providing personal or financial information.
According to a statement shared by the Fort Wayne Police Department on social media Wednesday, scammers are using various tactics to manipulate victims — including false claims of prizes, threats of arrest, and urgent payment requests. Authorities say the goal is to pressure individuals into paying or sharing sensitive data under false pretenses.
Police emphasized several warning signs to help residents identify potential scams. They noted that legitimate businesses and government agencies will never demand payment through unconventional methods such as wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Similarly, callers posing as federal agents or law enforcement officials threatening arrest or fines are almost certainly fraudulent.
The department also reminded residents that legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers over the phone. Those who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to hang up immediately and avoid engaging with the caller.
Officials further advised residents to register their numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls and to report any suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additional information about recognizing and reporting scams is available at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/phone-scams.
