Salt Lake City police warn residents of recent phone scam
Aug 21, 2023, 6:30 PM
Photo of a Salt Lake City Police Department vehicle. Salt Lake City Police are investigating what they say is Salt Lake City's fifth homicide for the year 2024. (File photo)
(File photo)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is warning the public to be on the lookout after a recent phone scam.
On Monday, SLCPD learned of an unknown person, claiming to be a member of the department. This person was making calls demanding money and threatening the recipient of the call with jail time.
The state of Utah informed the SLCPD’s Sex Offender Registry Unit that a “Lt. Goff” has been contacting sex offenders. The caller has been informing individuals that they are out of compliance with their registration.
According to a news release from SLCPD, “Lt. Goff” tells the people on the other line that they either need to pay money, or they will be taken to jail.
The release also states that there is no one employed with SLCPD with the last name of Goff. Additionally, the scammer has been calling from a 385-area code.
Members of the SLCPD will never call community residents and request money over the phone under any circumstance. Additionally, law enforcement personnel will never accept or demand gift cards to resolve a claim, according to the release.
Police say if you believe you are being scammed to immediately hang up the phone. For any questions, police also say you can call back on the non-emergency line at 801-799-3000.
Under Utah law, there are specific requirements when a person is convicted of a sex crime or kidnapping. They must provide local enforcement with their personal information.
Read more: Utah State University warns students of phone scam
