UW-Madison parents warned of phone scam

The following message was emailed to members of the UW–Madison Parent Program on Sept. 10.

Earlier today, September 10, the UW–Madison Police Department was made aware of a phone scam targeting parents of UW–Madison students. The caller identifies themselves as with the UW Police Department, and states their son/daughter has been arrested and they must provide financial information over the phone to release them from jail. The call also appears to be coming from the UW–Madison Police Department.

Parents should know this is a scam — it’s a version of a larger nationwide phone scam, aimed at obtaining your financial information. The UW–Madison Police Department, or any police department for that matter, will never call someone and demand money to take care of a warrant, citation, or to release someone from police custody. If you receive a phone call of this nature, tell the caller you’re calling the police, and hang up.

It’s not necessary to actually call the police — but if you feel threatened in any way, or if you mistakenly provided financial information to the caller, please call police to file a report.

Thanks,
UW-Madison Police Department
UW-Madison Parent Program