Scam alert: Police warn of impersonator demanding money by phone

Police in Petaluma are warning the public about a scam in which a caller impersonates a police officer from the Petaluma Police Department and demands money from the victim.

The police department is reporting it has recently received four reports from Petaluma residents about the scam.

During the calls, a man identified himself as a police officer and told the victim they had failed to appear in court for a criminal matter.

The suspect then threatened to arrest the victim unless they made a payment to resolve the matter.

This is a common scam that has been occurring for years, and the Petaluma Police Department is reminding residents law enforcement agencies, jails and courts do not make telephone calls demanding payments for criminal-related matters.

Anyone who has received a similar call can contact the police department at (707) 778-4372.