Police Department

New phone scam

Ofc. Teresa Fuller

Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 10 a.m.

Spokane Police received a citizen report of an individual identifying himself as a police officer, calling regarding collection of payment for a red light ticket. The Spokane Police Department is advising this call was not a legitimate call from law enforcement or anyone authorized to call on behalf of red light camera violations. Anyone receiving a similar call is urged to report it to call Crime Check at 509.456.2233.

When the suspect called the potential victim, he identified himself as a police officer. He advised that the victim had a red light camera ticket they had not paid, which had gone to warrant and they needed to send money to avoid going to jail for the warrant. Red light tickets are civil infractions and do not go to warrant. Unpaid tickets go to collections and the vehicle registration for the individual with the unpaid ticket may not be renewed. The potential victim believed it was a scam and correctly called in to report it.

If someone receives a ticket, they have 18 days to respond by either paying the ticket or sending in for a hearing or written review by a local commissioner. There is a past due fee added 48 days after the ticket is issued and then it goes to collections another 30 days after that. Most correspondence is done by mail. The collections company used for the program is Linebarger collections out of Texas.

The City of Spokane has had an Intersection Safety program since November 1st, 2008. The program is aimed at improving safety not only at the intersections that have cameras, but in our neighborhoods as well. Aside from some funds earmarked for a traffic officer, the COPS program and graffiti abatement, all money above and beyond what pays for the program goes back to the neighborhood councils for traffic calming in their areas. For more information visit the Photo Red page.

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