In the last week, the Redmond Police Department (RPD) has received complaints from victims reporting that suspects are using a phone number associated with Redmond police to extort funds from victims, according to officer Michael Dowd.

The complainants reported that they received calls from a subject claiming to be from the IRS. The caller told the victim that they owe the IRS money and the money needs to be paid or they will be arrested. The phone number that is associated with the call is (425) 556-2500. This number is associated with the RPD, but it is not a number that is displayed when calls originate from the police department.

Dowd said this is a continuing trend where citizens are being contacted by suspects claiming to be government employees. The citizens are told they need to pay the government agency to avoid arrest or deportation.

RPD is advising everyone to be aware of these types of scams, Dowd added. Government agencies do not initiate calls to collect funds over the phone. If people receive these type of calls, they are asked to notify their local agency.