St. Johns police warn of rising phone scam attempts

The St. Johns Police Department posted a public safety alert on Jan. 13 after officers identified an increase in phone-based scams aimed at local residents. Scammers have been calling people while posing as banks, government agencies, technical-support vendors and even family members to pressure victims into revealing account details or making immediate payments.

The department emphasized that legitimate organizations do not demand immediate payments or sensitive credentials over the phone. Scammers commonly use social engineering techniques to create a sense of urgency — asking for account numbers, Social Security information, online banking logins or wire transfers — and may instruct callers not to hang up. Many of these operations exploit caller ID spoofing so the call appears to come from a trusted number, complicating recognition of fraud.

St. Johns police advised several straightforward protections: do not provide personal information or account numbers to unsolicited callers; verify requests by hanging up and calling the institution back using an official phone number or the number on your statement; and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement. If you suspect fraud in progress, hang up and contact your bank immediately, and then call the St. Johns Police Department to file a report.

The alert matters in Apache County because rural service patterns and multigenerational households make some residents more exposed to impersonation tactics. People who rely on phone contact for bills, benefits or family coordination often feel pressure to act quickly when a caller claims an account or a relative is at risk. Tribal elders, people without regular internet access and seasonal residents who use multiple financial institutions should be especially cautious and verify requests through known, official channels.

These scams are not confined to St. Johns. Transnational call centers and automated systems can target small communities with the same scripts used in larger cities. While investigations may cross jurisdictional lines, immediate local reporting helps build evidence, enables police to issue community warnings and can prompt banks to flag suspicious transactions more quickly.

The takeaway? Treat unexpected calls that demand money or private account information as suspect. Hang up, check the phone number on your statement or the agency’s official website, and call back. Report anything unusual to St. Johns PD so officers can track patterns and warn neighbors. Our two cents? Slow down on the phone — a minute of verification can save your savings and spare your family worry.