University Police received reports recently of phone scams. The scam involves a caller who is supposedly representing a government agency, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Federal Reserve.

As part of the scam, the caller tells the individual that an active warrant was issued for their arrest because of debt. The caller tells them to send money electronically or purchase pre-paid gift cards, such as iTunes cards, to clear the warrant and the debt. The caller may even instruct them to remain on the phone as they purchase the gift cards so that they do not immediately investigate the call.

Doug Roberts, chief of Missouri S&T’s University Police, offers the following tips to avoid falling for a scam:

• Government officials will not call you for debt collection. They also will not call you and tell you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest.
• Never send funds (including the purchase of gift cards) to someone who calls you. Scammers often insist on gift cards because they can quickly remove the funds from the cards.
• If you receive a phone call requesting funds and you are unsure of the legitimacy of the request, please contact University Police or another law enforcement agency for assistance.   
• The University Police department is available to you 24/7 via the Rave Guardian App or at 341-4300. In an emergency, dial 911. The department is located in Room G-10 Campus Support Facility. You may also text a question to the police by using the Rave Guardian App. The app is free and available for download on your phone.