Yuma Police Warn Residents of Phone Scam Impersonating Officers, Demanding Payment

The Yuma Police Department warned Yuma residents and businesses that scam callers posing as officers are demanding immediate payments to avoid arrest, creating a heightened risk of financial loss in the community. The department issued the alert in a news release dated March 1, 2026, and identified the calls as appearing to come from the Police Department's non-emergency line.

"The Yuma Police Department has received reports about a telephone scam where the phone number appears to be coming from the Police Department's non-emergency line," the department said in the March 1 news release released by Sergeant Lori Franklin. The release lists the department's address at 1500 S. 1st Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85634 and gives the main phone number as (928) 373-4700.

The alert says the scam uses caller-ID manipulation and impersonation to pressure targets. "Scammers are impersonating Yuma Police Department members and possibly other law enforcement agencies, calling residents and businesses to demand immediate payment to avoid arrest," the statement reads. The release adds that "These fraudulent calls are often spoof phone numbers to make them appear legitimate."

The department spelled out what it will and will not do when contacting people about enforcement issues: "The Yuma Police Department will never request money, credit card information, or tell anyone to pay 'to resolve a warrant over the phone, text, or email.'" To protect themselves, the release lists clear steps: "Do not provide personal or financial information." It also instructs people to "Hang up immediately if a caller demands money" and to "Report the call to the Yuma Police Department immediately."

KYMA's reporting on the alert included a related warning from the Yuma County Sheriff's Office about a similar caller tactic. The KYMA page captured a YCSO notice saying calls came from an individual who identified himself as "Sergeant Taylor" and that "Anyone who receives this type of call is advised to hang up. Individuals should not redial or call back the number left on voicemails, and dial their local agency's number to confirm or verify information with personnel." The YCSO notice referenced "On Monday, July 22" but the capture did not include a year.

Residents who receive suspicious law-enforcement calls should verify contacts through official channels. The Yuma Police Department press release provides a reporting route and a direct media contact: Sergeant Lori Franklin, (928) 373-4732, and the department's main line, (928) 373-4700. Police emphasize that calls demanding payment are scams and encourage immediate reporting so investigators can track patterns and notify neighbors.