By Cameron Sheppard
cameron.sheppard@rentonreporter.com
Renton police are warning residents of a scam involving a phone call where someone identifies themselves as the Renton police chief.
Those targeted reportedly received a call from someone claiming to be Renton Chief of Police Jon Schuldt, and the caller-ID even shows up as a Renton Police Department number.
“Our Chief, and any other officer from our department, will not call you and ask for you to pay money for protection, dismiss warrants, or to avoid arrest,” the Renton Police Department said in a Facebook post.
During this scam, a male caller identified himself as “David Freeman” and calling from the Inspector General’s Office because the victim’s social security had been compromised, according to police. The scammer reportedly told the victim that to protect her social security she needed to transfer money to a secure location.
Eventually, the victim questioned the legitimacy of the call. However, about an hour later, she received a follow-up call from someone stating they were from the “Renton Police Department” and that the department told her the earlier call from “David Freeman” was legitimate and that she should follow their instructions and transfer the money.
Police say the victim did transfer some money to a California bank account.
Two days later, the victim reportedly received another call from “David Freeman,” who said she now needed to transfer her investments. She was then transferred by the caller to an imposter who claimed to be “Chief Schuldt” from Renton Police Department and she was told she should follow their instructions for protection.
The victim asked to meet the “chief” in person, which police say the scammer did not like, so they told her she had a warrant and would be arrested. Police report she has since blocked these calls from coming in and is working with her bank and law enforcement on her case.
“Since this fraud involved someone claiming to be from our department, we wanted to put out information on this scam to remind you that we will not call you with requests for money or threaten you with arrest,” the department stated in a Facebook post.
Police say your caller ID might show Renton Police is calling, or someone will tell you that they are a Renton officer, sergeant, detective, or the chief, but community members are urged not to fall for this scam.
“When in doubt, hang up the phone and call the police department directly, and not via a number they provide you, but one you look up yourself,” the department advised.
