By Pat Culverhouse

Fraudsters posing as Minden Police Department officers have contacted several local residents recently claiming the persons have a payment due by a certain day, and local investigators are looking into the origin of the telephone-based scam.

Det. Lt. Jason Smith said investigators received calls from individuals who reportedly had been contacted over the weekend.

“These calls appear to come from an official MPD phone number, but the scammers are using spoofing technology to disguise their true identity,” Smith said. “None of the persons who reported these calls sent money, but we don’t know if there are more people contacted who did not call us.”

Residents are urged to remember some facts that could prevent the loss of money or personal information:

• Minden Police Department officers never ask anyone to bring large sums of money, especially to any location other than the police department.

• While police officers may contact suspects or victims during investigations, they will never demand a payment in lieu of arrest.

• If a fine or fee is owed, the payment must be made in person at the police department or via its official online portal.

• It is not customary for MPD officers to contact anyone prior to any fines being “due.”

“If you believe you are receiving a fraudulent call, hang up and call the police department directly at 318-377-1212. The personnel there should be able to re-route you back to the person who called you,” Smith said. “If one of these calls is found to be a fraudster, report it immediately to the police department.”

Chief of Police Jared McIver urged residents to remain vigilant and share this information to help protect others in the community.

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