Las Cruces police are warning residents to be aware of scam telephone calls that may be seeking personal or financial information from unsuspecting victims.
Police have learned of at least one incident where a Las Cruces resident received a phone call from someone claiming to be from a local utility company. The caller claimed the resident’s utility services would be interrupted if she failed to call another number and make a payment. When the resident called the other number, someone answered with a greeting that did not match the utility company’s name.
The resident wisely hung up and then called the phone number on her utility bill where she learned her payments were up to date.
More often, scammers are trying to take advantage of unsuspecting victims in any way possible. If you receive an unsolicited call from an unknown individual, or a robocall, it’s likely a scam attempt.
Las Cruces police recommend following these safety tips:
- Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who calls, texts or otherwise contacts you unsolicited.
- Do not confirm your name, address or any personal information to anyone who calls.
- Do not engage in conversation with unsolicited callers.
- Do not press numbers if prompted to select from a menu.
- Do not click on links or visit websites provided by someone you do not know.
- Simply end the call or hang up if you suspect the call is fishy.
- Do not return a phone call to a number provided by the scammer as those numbers are likely fictitious. Instead, if you need to contact your utility or financial institution, call the number posted on your monthly billing statement.
- Block unwanted or repeat spam telephone numbers on your cell phone.
- Consider registering your phone number(s) on the Federal Trade Commission’s free Do Not Call Registry. Go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
Anyone who has been victimized by a suspected scam call is encouraged to file a report by calling police at (575) 526-0795.