Cedar Rapids Police Warn of a Phone Scam Involving Traffic Citations

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is warning of a phone scam where people are harrassed for unpaid traffic camera citations. Below is information from the CRPD to help protect you from the scam:

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – July 15, 2014 – The Cedar Rapids Police Department would like to make the public aware of a scam involving the collection of unpaid automated traffic enforcement citations.  The Police Department is aware of attempts in which a scammer telephones a potential victim and claims that money is owed for an unpaid camera citation.  The caller demands cash, credit card, or other personal information.

The City’s collection agency will make calls to vehicle owners regarding delinquent citations, but they will never demand cash or make threats about impounding vehicles or issuing warrants related to the unpaid citations.  In addition, City Treasury will always accept payment of citations, even if they are in collections, so there should be no pressure to pay a third party on the spot.

If anyone shows up in person at your residence demanding payment for citations, you should contact the Police Department as this collection method is not used by the City of Cedar Rapids for unpaid citations.

If a person believes they may have an outstanding citation related to automated traffic enforcement, they should contact the City of Cedar Rapids Finance Department for verification and payment options at (319) 286-5134 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.