Police report a resident of the Lehigh Valley received a call from the Bethlehem Police Department non-emergency phone number (610-865-7187) Aug. 26 and were advised that a family member was in trouble and in need of money.

The resident was subsequently defrauded in an amount exceeding $11,000. This is a common fraud scheme in which the victim is convinced that a family member has been in an accident or arrested and needs money immediately to avoid serving time in jail. To lend credibility to their scheme, the suspect cloned BPD’s number - 610-865-7187.

Similar fraud schemes are occurring in the Lehigh Valley and citizens are encouraged to remember the following tips to avoid phone scams:

- Block unwanted calls and text messages

- Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect.

- Resist the pressure to act immediately.

- Know how scammers tell you to pay.

- Stop and talk to someone you trust.