The Burbank Police Department says it has received reports of scam calls that make official department phone numbers appear on caller ID, including its non-emergency line. The warning is about phone-number spoofing: a displayed police number does not establish that the caller is with the department.
The department's community bulletin is dated November 03, 2026. That is the warning's publication date, not a verified date for any individual scam call.
The pressure to pay
According to Burbank Police, callers may claim the recipient has an outstanding warrant or faces criminal charges, then demand immediate payment through gift cards, money orders or other methods to avoid arrest. Those are claims the warning says scammers may make, not confirmation that the recipient has a warrant or faces a charge.
The department states: “BPD will NEVER call and demand payment for a warrant, fine, or criminal charge using gift cards or money orders.”
End the call and check directly
Burbank Police advises anyone receiving a suspicious call to hang up and not engage with the caller. It also says not to provide personal or financial information to an unknown caller.
If a call's legitimacy is uncertain, the department advises contacting BPD directly using one of its published numbers. The bulletin lists:
- Non-Emergency: (818) 238-3000
- General Information: (818) 238-3333
The distinction in the bulletin is between a number displayed by an incoming caller and a published number used to contact the department directly. Its advice is to stop the suspicious conversation and verify independently, rather than respond to a demand for immediate payment.
Source: Burbank Police Department, “Burbank PD Community Bulletin - Scam Alert: Phone Number Spoofing,” published November 03, 2026. This report covers the department's public-service announcement, not a newly identified victim, suspect or arrest.
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