The Bowling Green Police Division is warning residents about a scam artist posing as a police officer to get money.

A resident received a call Sunday from a man claiming to be John Miller from the BGPD asking for a donation to the “Shop With a Cop” program.

Neither Miller nor the program exists within the department, said Maj. Tony Hetrick, deputy chief of police.

The resident became suspicious of the caller and asked for him to send a form for the money, but was disconnected, Hetrick said.

The caller ID was later traced to a Norma Paquin, which police called to find the number had been disconnected. Police believe it was a fake number or name, which can be created though the Internet, Hetrick said.

The same call came to residents in February and last week in Oregon, Ohio, Hetrick said.

“It’s just something that happens on the holidays you have to be on the lookout for sometimes,” he said. “You need to verify it’s a legitimate charity.”

Hetrick said BGPD rarely solicits for money and if it does, it’s always in person or sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police or a charity.