Hiawassee Police Chief warns of officer impersonation scam

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith warned citizens last week at City Hall’s work session of another telephone scam making the rounds. Chief Smith said that he received a phone call from a Blairsville resident, asking if the city police department had called earlier to solicit donations for a fallen officer fund. Smith said that the solicitor claimed to be an officer with the Hiawassee Police Department.

“Please be cautious of all phone calls from unknown individuals. Phone numbers can be spoofed so it will look like you are receiving a call from a legitimate source,” Chief Smith cautioned. “Don’t give out any information on a phone call that you did not initiate. If someone calls you claiming to be with an organization you are familiar with, hang up and call the organization back on a known phone number.”

Smith stated that Hiawassee Police Department never initiates phone calls to raise funds.