WILDWOOD CREST — Our community is being asked to stay alert after a resident reported a frighteningly convincing phone scam. According to the Wildwood Crest Police Department, someone placed a call early Thursday that displayed the department's own phone number on the recipient's screen — and the person on the other end claimed to be Police Chief Robert Lloyd.
The resident hung up before giving out any personal details or hearing any demands, police said. But the incident is a reminder of how easily scammers can dress up a call to look official.
Wildwood Crest Police explained that caller ID spoofing lets fraudsters make their calls appear to originate from a trusted source — in this case, the department's own line. That means the number you see on your phone isn't proof of who's actually calling.
The department is stressing a simple rule: real law enforcement officers will never phone you to ask for money, gift cards, or an immediate payment. If a caller claims to be from Wildwood Crest Police and makes those kinds of requests, hang up right away and dial the department directly at (609) 522-2456 to verify.
Officials are also asking anyone who has gotten a similar call to reach out to the Wildwood Crest Police Department — even if you didn't hand over any money or share any information. Reporting these attempts helps investigators track the scam and warn neighbors.
It's a good moment for all of us to check in with family members, especially older residents, about how to spot a spoofed call. When in doubt, don't engage — hang up and call the department's verified number at (609) 522-2456.
