Danville Police warns public of bitcoin scam

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) – The Danville Police Department is warning the public of a bitcoin scam.

Danville Police say they are aware of phone calls being made using the department’s likeness, names of personnel, and other government agencies and entities to gain information towards making payment(s), or trying to convince people to make gift card purchases, wire transfers, or transactions at money machines such as Bitcoin.

Danville Police provided the following statement,

“The Danville Police Department, other law enforcement agencies, courts, and government agencies will never call individuals seeking payment over the phone.

Nor will any government organization or legitimate organization ask you to withdraw cash and to meet them at some location to exchange in person. No legitimate entity will ask you to withdraw cash and meet at a location for exchange using any sort of wire service, Bitcoin machine, or any other form of financial transaction.

Also be aware that no local, state, or federal entity will call and ask an individual to send money over the phone or to make any sort of payment using a third-party method such as a wire transfer, money machines, or gift cards.

Anyone who receives a call of this nature is asked to immediately hang up. Never give out any personal, medical, or financial information over the phone.

Email addresses and phone numbers can be replicated and faked by fraudsters.

Receiving a call from a number that appears authentic should not be an indication that it’s legitimate. Call or visit the entity in question to authenticate the call or email received.

Just as many young people are scammed annually as the elderly, especially due to being unfamiliar with banking.”

If you feel pressured, unsure, or are being coached on the phone, hang up and call the City of Danville Non-Emergency number at 434-799-5111 option 8, and verify first.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Danville Police Department by either calling patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508 option 1, and option 1 again, calling 911, contacting Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818.

Individuals with information leading to an arrest and conviction could be eligible for a cash reward.