Texas Authorities Warn of Police Officer Impersonation Scam

(TNS) — Residents in Lewisville and across Denton County are being warned about a surge in scam calls from people posing as police officers and claiming those on the other end of the call missed jury duty — then demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest.

The Lewisville Police Department said in a social media post that scammers are telling residents they failed to report for jury duty and must pay fines over the phone — sometimes instructing them to purchase gift cards, which scammers can use to funnel money — to avoid being taken into custody.

“The Lewisville Police Department will never call you and demand money over the phone,” the department said in a social media post.

A long-running scam, evolving with technology

Officer Tre Mathis, spokesperson for the Lewisville Police Department, said scams involving people posing as law enforcement have been a problem for years, but criminals continue to refine their tactics.

“These scam calls have been affecting our community — not just these specific ones, but scam calls in general where they pose as law enforcement,” Mathis said. “As technology advances, these criminals get more intelligent and clever with how they operate.”

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Centerreported that in 2024 there were almost 860,000 complaints of suspected internet crime and losses exceeding $16 billion, which was an increase of 33% from 2023.

After Denton County authorities publicly raised concerns, Lewisville officials said they began hearing from residents who recently received similar calls.

What to do if you get a call

Police urge residents to be skeptical of unsolicited calls from people claiming to be an officer, especially if the caller demands some form of payment.

If you receive one of these calls, officials recommend:

• Asking for the officer’s department, name and badge number.
• Hanging up.
• Calling the agency’s official nonemergency number to verify the officer’s identity.

Mathis said legitimate officers will provide their names and badge numbers. “In some departments, providing that information is required.”

How to report a scam

Residents who think they’ve been scammed can contact Lewisville Police’s nonemergency line at 972-219-3640 or submit an online report to verify information or report suspicious activity.

“Stay safe. Be vigilant. Be aware,” the department said.

The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, while the FBI encourages reporting through its Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

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