I have an internet phone mail service which I use for situations where I need to supply a phone number but I don't want to give out my unlisted home phone or my cell number -- usually things like if I buy some item online and the vendor needs a contact number, situations where I MIGHT need to receive the call, but I don't want to risk ending up on some telemarketing list (I don't trust Do Not Call lists). I've NEVER used the number for hobby-related activities. Anyway, last week my email notified me that I'd received a message (a rare occurrence). These calls are usually wrong numbers, so I didn't get around to listening to the message for a couple days. A voice says, "This is Detective Kent from the Smallville Police Dept. Give me a call regarding an investigation I'm working on" and he leaves a number. I Googled the number and it was legitimate.

So right away I'm wondering, "How the hell did he get THIS number?" At first, I wasn't overly concerned because I have nothing to hide. But then  I remembered the hobby. Even then, it's an extreme long shot the call is hobby-related because my encounters are few and far between and have been confined to major metropolitan areas. The call was from a police dept in a neighboring small town. So far, I haven't heard back. So I'm wondering: should I just ignore the call? Should I return the call? Most likely, it's something innocuous. But I'd hate to risk an officer showing up at my door asking embarrassing questions. My gut tells me at least to wait to see if I get another call.

And does anyone have any idea how the officer could have gotten that particular number but not my home, cell or work number?

In the first place, if they really want you they'll find you and there's no reason to get them PO'd.

Next, since you don't use the phone for hobbying, the likelyhood that it involves that is very low, so you don't have to worry.

It may have something to do with an investigation into some internet scam, since you use the number for on line stuff, and if you can help bag some scammers, more power to you.

Who knows?  You might even have some money coming to you if you got scammed and didn't know it.

Of course, don't be foolish either.  Ask them what it is about before you answer any questions and if it sounds remotely sinister, dummy up and say those three magic words:  "I don't recall."

(still not a lawyer)

The odds of it being hobby related are about 0.  It is almost hard to imagine them making a case for anything once the deed is done.  

If you have nothing else that you could be in trouble over, the odds are that they need your help in solving some crime that you may not even be aware that you have knowledge of. The vast majority of interviews are routine, cover all bases and make sure there is nothing there.

Some people say that you should have a lawyer as your buffer.  The question is, if you are the victim of a crime and the cops are investigating, do you want every innocent victim to "lawyer up" and double the complexity of the investigation.

 

Also change your identity, learn a new language and never use English again.

Just in case.

Take it from me, "Always Lawyer-Up First".  You can always agree to answer questions later, but you can't get your words back into your mouth after they've reached the cops' ears.  Like to have laws like Portugal - once they involve you, they're not allowed to "not tell" you what they already know - no entrapment (watch The Closer sometime - that show is hilarious!).

More than likely, they're trying to solicit money from you - "Policemen's Ball" kind of crap.  If they wanted you, they'd be at your door already.

Good Luck.

Are you sure its not superman

If I were you, I would lay low for a while because when you get this type of call from a Police officer and he says he is doing an investigation, you better believe it involves you and the possibility that you could be involved in what he is investigating.  Be very careful what you say to him if he calls back. I would wait for him to call you back.

Dude - Call legal counsel and have him act as your buffer.  You are under no legal obligation to talk to the detective until you are subpoenead. The detective will simply be fishing for anything you say, to create a reasonable suspicion that you should be questioned more.

legal counsel is much better at answering questions.

just my thought, and i am not an attorney.

I'm curious how this turned out. Did you ever call them back or receive additional calls?