San Angelo Police Warn of Officer Impersonation Scam

Authorities urge residents to be cautious of callers falsely demanding payment to resolve outstanding warrants.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a heavy stone building facade, evoking the institutional caution of law enforcement regarding crime. — San Angelo police warned residents Tuesday about a rise in phone scams where perpetrators impersonate officers to solicit illicit payments. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you feel confident in your ability to identify fraudulent calls from official police communications?

The San Angelo Police Department is warning residents about a rise in phone scams where callers impersonate officers to solicit money. Scammers are using spoofing technology to make calls appear as though they are coming from legitimate city or police department numbers.

Why it matters

Criminals exploit public trust in law enforcement by creating false urgency regarding legal issues to coerce victims into making payments. The San Angelo Police Department emphasized that they never call residents to demand money in exchange for clearing warrants.

The San Angelo Police Department has issued a formal public warning regarding the ongoing scam attempts. No arrests have been announced as authorities continue to monitor reports of caller ID spoofing.

The players

San Angelo Police Department

This is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public safety and investigating criminal activity within San Angelo, Texas.

Ben Spencer

The individual is identified as a Lieutenant within the police department, though scammers have been falsely using his name during illicit phone calls.

The details

Individuals receive phone calls from perpetrators claiming to be specific personnel, such as Lieutenant Ben Spencer, to pressure targets into immediate financial transactions. These callers leverage manipulated caller ID information to mimic official contact channels.

The San Angelo Police Department issued the scam warning on October 30, 2026.

Legal Context

This scam highlights the ongoing difficulty of enforcing the Truth in Caller ID Act as bad actors continue to manipulate phone networks. Such crimes reflect a broader national challenge where digital deception makes it increasingly difficult for the public to verify the identity of callers.

Residents should never provide payment or personal information to anyone claiming to represent the police over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and contact the department using a verified, official phone number.

The takeaway

Always treat unsolicited calls demanding money as fraudulent, regardless of the name or agency the caller claims to represent. Remember that legitimate law enforcement agencies will not demand immediate payments over the phone to resolve legal matters.