Alpharetta police warn of new phone scam

Alpharetta police Monday issued an alert warning of scammers trying to bilk money from residents under the guise of the police department.

“Recently, a number of north Fulton residents have received telephone calls by persons identifying themselves as an Alpharetta police officer,” department spokesman George Gordon said.

“The call recipient is advised to send monies to pay for a red light camera citation or they would be charged with contempt of court,” Gordon said in an email. “The caller often uses the name of a valid Alpharetta police officer.”

Gordon said that at no time would Alpharetta officers or other public safety employees contact a person by phone requesting money.

He said only the company that operates the city’s red light cameras would make initial contact with motorists accused of an infraction.

Gordon asked that anyone contacted in the scam call police and file an incident report. He also asked that anyone receiving one of the calls retain the telephone number from which the call was placed.