The City of El Centro says to be aware of a potential phone scam.

The latest scam involves an apparently spoofed El Centro Police Department phone number. ECPD said that while police personnel may occasionally call residents as part of an investigation, they will never request money under threat of arrest or demand payment using gift cards. Fines, such as parking violations must be paid in person at the police department. Remain alert. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and contact the El Centro police Department's non-emergency phone line.