03/13/2026
Shelter Island Police Department
Public Advisory – Phone Scam Using Spoofed Police Department Phone Number
The Shelter Island Police Department is alerting residents to a recent fraud incident reported this week in which a caller spoofed the department’s general phone number (631-749-0600) in an attempt to make the call appear legitimate.
Caller ID technology can be manipulated, allowing scammers to make it look as though a call is coming from a trusted number, including a police department or other government agency.
In this case, the caller attempted to create the impression that they were contacting the resident from the police department. Similar scams have been reported in other jurisdictions.
Residents should be aware of the following:
The Shelter Island Police Department will NEVER:
Request payment, gift cards, or cryptocurrency over the phone
Ask for banking, credit card, or Social Security information during an unsolicited call
Demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or resolve a warrant
Ask you to send money or transfer funds as part of an investigation
If you receive a suspicious call that appears to come from the Police Department:
Do not provide any personal or financial information.
Hang up immediately.
Verify the call independently by contacting the Shelter Island Police Department directly at 631-749-0600.
If you believe you were targeted or provided information, report the incident to the Police Department immediately.
Scammers rely on urgency and intimidation. Taking a moment to verify the call is often enough to stop the fraud.
The Shelter Island Police Department encourages residents, particularly seniors who are often targeted by these scams, to remain cautious and to share this information with family members and neighbors.
If you have any questions or believe you have received a fraudulent call, please contact the Shelter Island Police Department at 631-749-0600.
