Lubbock Police Warn of Phone Scam Involving Fake Detective

The Lubbock Police Department is warning residents about a new phone scam circulating in the community. According to officials, scammers are impersonating a police detective and trying to trick people into paying fake fines using gift cards.

In a press release issued Wednesday, police said the caller claims to be “Detective Davenport” from the Lubbock Police Department. The impersonator tells victims they have an outstanding warrant that must be resolved immediately, and then directs them to pay over the phone using prepaid gift cards.

Authorities emphasize that this is a scam, and the Lubbock Police Department will never call residents to demand payment of any kind, primarily through gift cards or wire transfers.

“Law enforcement will not ask for money over the phone, nor will we ask anyone to purchase gift cards,” officials stated. “If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and report it.”

Scams like this often rely on fear and urgency to pressure victims into complying. Gift cards are a red flag, police say, because they’re difficult to trace and offer scammers quick, untraceable cash.

Residents are advised to exercise caution, verify any suspicious calls directly with the relevant agency, and report scam attempts to local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission.

If you believe this scam has targeted you, contact the Lubbock Police Department’s non-emergency number or file a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

As scams evolve and become more sophisticated, police stress the importance of community awareness and encourage residents to share warnings with friends and family.

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