Community members have notified DeKalb Police Department about credit card phone scams, according to a DeKalb Police Department press release.

The police warn that if a suspicious phone call is received, residents should write down the phone number and notify the police department immediately. No personal information should be given over the phone including date of birth and social security numbers.

In addition, police said the callers may claim that a resident is under investigation followed by a demand for payment. In this event, police advise residents not to release their credit card information. Avoid giving out credit card numbers, three digit security codes, bank routing numbers and other bank account numbers.

Police stress that this is a scam and residents should not respond unless warning the caller that they will be contacting local police to validate the phone number. Residents should be aware that the phone number appearing on their caller ID can be “spoofed” and could be a call routed from outside of the United States.

If a resident receives a suspicious phone call they should contact the police immediately so the situation can be properly handled. If a resident feels that they have previously been a victim of this phone scam, they should contact the DeKalb Police Department at 815-748-8400 so the situation can be handled.