WESTMINSTER police building (File photo).

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the police department asking for credit card information, be wary. It’s a scam.

Last week, a Westminster resident received a call that appeared on their caller ID as “Westminster Police Department.” Claiming to be a police officer, the man knew the resident’s name, address and the first four numbers of the caller’s credit card.

The caller wanted the rest of the credit card number to verify that the resident wasn’t involved in the purchase of illegal chemicals and threatened him with jail if he didn’t cooperate.

Staying cool, the resident said he’d have to verify the call with police and hung up.

Although the number on the call showed as the WPD main number, the call was really from someone “spoofing,” using technology to make that call seem really from the WPD.

Police emphasize that they will never call residents and ask for credit card information, gift cards, money orders or personal or banking information.

If you get a suspicious call, ask the caller’s name, badge number and case number.