Criminals Impersonate Reno Police to Steal Money

Author: Nevada Globe Staff

NEVADA – Katie Gipson revealed that the police department in Reno was listed as the caller on her husband’s phone.

And that’s what drove Brian Gipson to answer his phone finally. The other individual on the line introduced himself as a lieutenant with the Reno Police Department.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Gipson, the caller stated because he failed to appear in court.

“He was truly going to be arrested if he didn’t agree with their demands,” Katie Gipson said, describing the call.

The caller requested bail bond payment in the amount of $7,900. A Reno police officer’s name was used, and the man knew where the Gipsons lived.

The things they were saying were true, Gipson claimed.

When the con artists gave the Gipsons a text message about the bail bond, the Gipsons quickly realized they were being scammed.

When he saw the bar codes in the text message, he thought it was from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, but it was from a store like Walmart or Target.

Fortunately, the Gipsons didn’t give anything up. When they dialed 911, they learned that other people were also talking to scammers at the same time in Reno.

Reno Police Services Supervisor Staci Miller said, “These scammers are literally utilizing legitimate names of real deputies.”

Online, “these con artists are researching these individuals, obtaining badge numbers, and locating contact information.”

Miller claims she receives calls once a week from folks who have had interactions with con artists and even victims.

Miller claimed that weekly earnings “may be anywhere from a few thousand dollars to, in some cases, thirty thousand dollars.”

The Reno Police Department recommends not responding to such calls. Contact the police department if you have any more inquiries regarding this call.

Miller said they never discuss warrants or bail with anyone.

Miller advised his son to hang up the phone immediately because “once you get sucked in, once they know you’re terrified and intimidated, then they know they have you.”

Gipson warns his listeners to keep their guard up and not blindly believe the first name that appears on their phone’s search.

Not everyone with a name on something is who they claim to be, Gipson said.

Call the Reno Police Department at 775-334-2175 if you think you have been the target of a scam.

Credits: KOLOTV