PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

August 21, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://slcpd.com/mediarequest/

SLCPD Warns Community About Recent Phone Scam

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department learned that an unknown person – claiming to be a police lieutenant – is calling community members demanding money or threatening them with jail or prison time.

On Monday, August 21, 2023, the State of Utah notified the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Sex Offender Registry Unit that the caller – using the name of “Lt. Goff” – has been calling sex offenders and telling them they are out of compliance with their registration.

“Lt. Goff” reportedly tells the person he’s speaking with that they need to pay him, or they may be taken to jail.

The scammer is calling from a phone number that has a 385-area code.

There is no one employed by the Salt Lake City Police Department with the last name “Goff.”

The Salt Lake City Police Department will never call community members and demand money under any circumstance.

In the past, scammers have used the identities of real SLCPD employees and have “spoofed” their caller ID to show an actual Salt Lake City Corporation phone number.

Community members should never provide personal identifying information, credit card numbers, or other financial data or conduct transactions after receiving an unsolicited request.

The Salt Lake City Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies, will never demand, or accept, gift cards to satisfy a claim or obligation.

Community members should keep their guard up and disconnect the phone immediately if they believe they are being scammed.

People can always verify whether a SLCPD employee is trying to reach them by hanging up and calling 801-799-3000, the police non-emergency line.

People who believe they have been the victim of a scam, and who have sent in money, should file a police report either by calling 801-799-3000 or filling out an online police report.

Utah law has specific requirements on when a person convicted of a sex crime or kidnapping must register their personal information with local law enforcement.

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