Scammers are using the Damariscotta Police Department’s phone number in an effort to obtain gift cards, police said.
The department received a call Friday, Oct. 19 regarding a person who received a call from the police department’s phone number. The scammer claimed to be an official with the U.S. Treasury Department and told the person they needed to purchase gift cards or they would be arrested by local police.
The police department would never ask residents to purchase gift cards, according to Damariscotta Police Chief Jason Warlick.
“We will always announce ourselves on the phone and will never request money from anyone,” Warlick said.
If anyone receives a similar call, they are welcome to notify the Damariscotta Police Department, however, Warlick said the most important thing to remember is to never buy gift cards or give a Social Security number, credit card information, or any other personal information to any caller.
The Damariscotta Police Department’s phone number is 563-1909.
