The Los Angeles Police Department is warning about a scam involving telephone calls from an individual claiming to be a Los Angeles police officer who requests personal and identifying information, including social security numbers. The department has received numerous complaints about the scam during recent weeks.

The LAPD cautions that while it is possible that citizens who have previously contacted the police to report a crime may be contacted by a detective for additional information, such calls will never involve a request for payment or money.

People who receive a suspicious call from someone believed to be a police impersonator are urged hang up the phone and immediately contact a local police station to verify the information. The LAPD’s Wilshire Division can be reached at (213)473-0476, and the Hollywood Division can be reached at (213)972-2971.