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Police Warn Residents Of Phone Scam In Delaware

NEW CASTLE, Del., (CBS) -- Police in Delaware are warning residents of a recent phone scam.

New Castle County Police say they have received reports from residents stating they have received calls from a person claiming to be an officer from the New Castle County Sheriff's Office.

According to police, the unknown caller(s) are using the actual number from the Sheriff's Office and have used Sheriff Trinidad Navarro's name.  Police say a victim reported the suspect had a "strong accent" and requested she purchase a pre-paid credit card or a warrant would be issued for her arrest.  The victim realized this was a scam, researched the telephone number on the internet and then called 911.

Earlier this year, police say suspects involved in similar scams called from "202" and "302" area codes.  The suspect(s) call victims stating there is a bench warrant for their arrest.  The victims are then instructed to purchase a pre-paid credit card such as NetSpend.  The cards purchased by the victims are over $1,000.

New Castle County Police is asking residents to report any suspicious telephone calls from people claiming to be a law enforcement officer or agent.  Police say residents should know that law enforcement officials will not request money in lieu of an arrest.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the New Castle County Police Department at (302) 573-2800. You can also submit a tip anonymously by going to www.NCCPD.com and follow the link for "Tips and Alerts."   Residents may also provide text tips by texting the key word NCCPD to 847411 (TIP411) followed by your tip.  Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333.  Residents with the Smartphone App are encouraged to use the "submit tip" tab to submit tips by selecting a topic using the "drop down" and complete the tip by "clicking" submit.

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