BEACON, NY – The City of Beacon Police Department is alerting residents about a new variation of an old scam that nearly tricked a local resident—until they wisely contacted the police before taking any action.
According to officials, the scam began when the resident clicked on a suspicious link on their computer, which caused the device to freeze. Shortly afterward, they received a phone call from someone claiming to be Chief Figlia of the Beacon Police Department. The caller falsely informed the resident that there was a warrant out for their arrest and that they needed to pay an immediate sum of money to avoid being taken into custody.
Fortunately, the resident grew suspicious and contacted the Beacon Police directly. Authorities confirmed that the call was a scam and that the police department does not operate in this manner.
Police Emphasize: “We Never Call Asking for Money”
In a statement, the Beacon Police made it clear that no legitimate member of the department will ever contact a resident by phone to demand payment or threaten arrest.
“The only time you may receive a legitimate notice of payment associated with the Beacon Police is in connection with overdue parking tickets—and even those are processed through an external ticket processor,” officials explained.
Any criminal justice-related fines, fees, or obligations outside of parking tickets are handled through the court system, not the police department directly.
Beware of Spoofed Phone Numbers
A particularly deceptive part of this scam is that the call may appear to come from the actual police department’s phone number—a tactic known as spoofing. Scammers use digital tools to make their calls look official, adding an extra layer of credibility to their threats.
Police urge residents that if they ever receive a suspicious call claiming to be from the department, especially one involving demands for money or threats of arrest, they should hang up immediately and contact the Beacon Police Department directly at 845-831-4111.
What to Do If You’re Targeted
Residents who encounter similar scams should follow these key steps:
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Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone over the phone, especially if they are making threats.
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Hang up immediately if the caller claims to be from the Beacon Police and asks for money.
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Call the official police line at 845-831-4111 to verify any claims or letters you receive.
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Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails, pop-ups, or websites, which may trigger malware or lead to follow-up scam attempts.
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Report the incident to local law enforcement and, if applicable, to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Mail Scams Also on the Rise
The police department also cautions residents to be wary of any mail they receive that references the Beacon Police or contains demands for payment. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of such correspondence, call the department directly before responding.
Staying Safe in a Digital World
As scammers continue to develop more sophisticated tactics, the Beacon Police Department encourages residents to remain vigilant, verify all suspicious communications, and educate family members, especially seniors, who are frequently targeted.
In this recent case, an alert and cautious response prevented financial loss and helped raise awareness of a growing threat. Beacon Police thank the resident for reporting the scam and remind the community: when in doubt, always call the official number before taking any action.
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