BELLEVILLE – The Belleville Police Department said it has received several reports of scam phone calls from people falsely claiming to be Capt. Keilbach, warning residents not to return the calls and instead contact the department directly at 618-234-1212.
In the alert, the department said the calls are scams and are not associated with the Belleville Police Department. Many of the calls have come from phone numbers ending in 9734, though the department warned that scammers can manipulate caller ID and other information to make calls appear legitimate.
The department said anyone who receives a voicemail or phone call claiming to be from the Belleville Police Department and requesting a return call should not call the number provided in the message. Instead, callers should use the department’s public service number, 618-234-1212, where telecommunications personnel can connect them with the appropriate department member.
The department also reminded the public that it will never ask for money over the phone and will never accept payments over the phone. It urged people not to provide personal, financial, or banking information to unknown callers.
The Belleville Police Department said anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam or has provided information to a suspicious caller should contact the department.
