In an effort to enhance community awareness of law enforcement procedures and prevent fraud, William W. Wu, the Chief of the Compton Unified School District (CUSD) Police Department in Southern California, participated in the “2026 Fraud and Disaster Prevention Seminar” held at the Chinese Overseas Chinese Service Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 24th. During the seminar, Wu elaborated on the actual operational methods of the police force and shared practical tips on identifying fake police officers and common scam techniques, aiming to help the community establish a correct understanding of fraud prevention.
Wu highlighted that the American police force strictly regulates uniforms and equipment. Genuine police officers typically wear “dark blue” or “khaki” uniforms, not black. In addition to wearing official badges, these badges clearly indicate the affiliated police department, rank, and personal identification number. Nametags are also prominently displayed on the chest for easy identification by the public. Furthermore, most police uniforms feature unit emblems on the shoulders and carry various law enforcement equipment at the waist, making it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate these details accurately.
Addressing concerns that individuals may have when being stopped on the street or encountering police officers conducting home visits, Wu explained that law enforcement always reports their operational locations to the duty center. People can directly call the local police station to verify if there are relevant duty records or request to contact the officer’s superior to confirm their identity. The presence of an official police car accompanying the operation can often serve as crucial evidence of the officer’s authenticity.
When discussing the prevalence of a myriad of fraud cases in recent years, Wu emphasized that although the content of scams continues to evolve, the tactics remain relatively similar, with the common goal of instilling fear and pressuring victims to make immediate payments. Common tactics include falsely claiming visa or identity document issues, outstanding tax payments, involvement in legal cases, or impersonating relatives in need of urgent financial assistance.
Wu particularly warned that government agencies, police departments, and banks will never demand payments over the phone, nor request cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies. In cases involving financial matters, individuals should independently verify through official websites or call the customer service number provided on the back of their credit cards, avoiding the use of contact information provided by the other party.
Wu also urged caution regarding the predominant use of social media by fraud groups, advising against responding to unfamiliar calls or messages from unknown accounts. Even if familiar contacts suddenly request financial assistance, individuals should switch to phone calls or other means to personally confirm their identity, thus preventing their accounts from being hijacked for fraudulent activities.
In conclusion, Wu stressed the importance of maintaining composure and verifying information from multiple sources when faced with requests involving money and personal information. He emphasized, “The more urgent, threatening, and demanding for immediate payment, the more likely it is a scam.” Only by increasing vigilance and understanding official law enforcement processes can individuals effectively protect themselves and ensure the safety of their families.