Police warn of phone scam targeting Columbia residents

The Columbia Police Department issued a warning Wednesday about a phone scam targeting Columbia residents.

Investigators told ABC 17 News that someone calling people and pretending to be a Columbia police officer.

The Police Department said it has taken several reports of the scam.

The caller apparently pretends to be an officer who has a warrant out of for the potential victim’s arrest.

They will then ask for the person to pay over the phone.

Columbia Police tell ABC 17 this is something they never would do.

Byrana Larimer said, “That’s something the Columbia Police Department or any city department for that matter would ever contact someone and ask for money over the phone, they would never do that.”

Police say the phone number being used is the non-emergency number for Boone County Joint Communications.

You can contact the Columbia Police Department at 573-875-8477 if you believe you have been targeted by a scam.