Palm Springs Police are issuing a strong warning to seniors across the city—and likely the entire Coachella Valley—after a noticeable uptick in scam attempts targeting older residents.
Police Chief Andy Mills joined NBC Palm Springs to raise awareness and share a personal story. “It’s certainly a problem,” Mills said. “People are taking advantage of the vulnerable and elderly. My own mother got a call offering $100,000 if she sent $3,000. Luckily, she called me first.”
The scam, like many others targeting seniors, came with official-sounding language and appeared to come from a reputable source. Mills quickly identified it as a scam and prevented his mother from sending the money. “That money would have ended up in a Russian bank account, and she would’ve been out $3,000,” he said.
Mills emphasized that neither his department nor any legitimate law enforcement agency will ever call asking for money. “We don’t do that. Ever. If someone asks for money over the phone or email—don’t give it,” he said.
Scammers often impersonate police or sheriff’s departments, claiming to represent groups like the Police Officers Association. Mills warns: “Do not trust those calls. Call us first. Our fraud detectives can guide you.”
During the interview, Mills was joined by his traffic enforcement team, who were out writing citations across Palm Springs as part of a traffic safety initiative. “You have to be serious—we’ve had too many fatal accidents. I even walked the crosswalks in uniform today and saw drivers ignoring pedestrian rights,” he said.
His parting advice? “If something feels off, it probably is. Call the police department and verify before you act.”
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By: NBC Palm Springs
April 30, 2025
