The Gainesville Police Department issued a public‑safety alert on Monday, warning community members that scammers are making phone calls while pretending to be Police Chief Kevin Phillips. The fraudulent calls aim to trick residents into providing personal information or money.
How the scam works
According to the department, callers introduce themselves as “Chief Kevin Phillips” or as another officer and claim there is an urgent matter that requires immediate action. Some reports indicate the scammers request payment for alleged fines, fees, or equipment, while others simply try to harvest personal data.
Chief Phillips has never authorized such calls, and the department emphasizes that no legitimate police communication will ever demand payment over the phone or request sensitive information without proper verification.
What residents should do
Police urge anyone who receives a suspicious call to:
- Hang up immediately.
- Do not share personal or financial information.
- Call the Gainesville Police Department directly at (940) 668‑7777 to confirm the legitimacy of any request.
The department will log each report and investigate the source of the calls. Residents are encouraged to report every incident, even if they suspect the call was harmless, to help law‑enforcement track the pattern and protect the community.
Why the warning matters
Phone‑based impersonation scams have risen nationwide, targeting seniors and busy households alike. By alerting the public early, the Gainesville Police Department hopes to curb the spread of these fraudulent schemes and safeguard the town’s families.
Chief Phillips reiterated the department’s commitment to transparency and community safety, stating, “We take any attempt to misuse our badge very seriously. Our officers are here to serve, and we want every resident to feel confident that they can trust official communications from our department.”
For additional safety tips, residents can visit the department’s website or follow the official Gainesville Police social‑media channels, where updates and alerts are posted regularly.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
