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Sunday, dec 29
Tag:
Fraud Prevention
Business
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know
New reports reveal that scammers are trying to trick Google into showing their fake numbers pretending to offer reputable services, and many are getting away with it. Google sometimes highlights impostors during searches for airlines, banks, as well as local businesses, according to a brand-new report in The Washington Post. A victim who called what Google listed as Coinbase customer support was scammed out of $100,000 in 20 minutes by an impostor, Fortune reports. Google told The Washington Post that it uses several methods to determine whether business listings are legitimate, inclu…
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise
Police are warning of an uptick in scammers hoping to take advantage of the warmer spring weather. Each year, agencies across the country see an increase in complaints about fraudsters who bait homeowners with driveway paving services, according to the North Greenbush Police Department in New York. “As the trees sprout leaf buds and the daffodils peek out of their underground hiding, so must the scam artists offering to pave or sealcoat your driveway for the low low price of only five times what it would cost for a legitimate business to do it,” the agency said on Facebook. “And they must b…
News
Covid-
19: Don't Fall For These Vaccine-Related Scams, Police Say
The rise in Americans going out and getting the COVID-19 vaccine has also brought about a rise in the number of opportunistic scammers looking to take advantage of the pandemic, law enforcement officials are cautioning. An alert was issued by police in the area regarding COVID-19 vaccine scams that have been reported to law enforcement agencies across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), scammers have been using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-…
News
Scam Alert: Don't Fall For This Amazon Hoax
With the holiday seasons fast approaching, officials are warning of a “new phone scam that has been making the rounds targeting Amazon users. According to police, area residents have reported receiving an automated phone call from a fraudster claiming to be from Amazon in need of discussing a recent order. Officials said that the largest are instructed to press “1” to cancel the order or “2” to speak with a representative. No matter what button is pressed, the message states that the order is canceled and in order to fix it, the target must call an 800 number to speak with someone directly.…
News
Warnings Issued For Text, TV 'Smishing' Scams
Officials are warning of new “smishing” scams that have been making the rounds. The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert cautioning consumers of new scams that have been using text messages, not the traditional emails. One such scam involves the fraudster offering to provide major savings on television services. The scams involve the victims sending back personal information, or infecting devices with malware. According to the Better Business Bureau, this new scheme is called “smishing” which stands for SMS fishing, as opposed to “phishing,” which involves email. “We’re kind of condit…
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Unclaimed Funds Email Scam
Police in the area are cautioning local residents of a recent email scam that has been making the rounds throughout the region. One police department, located in Rockland County, reports it just received a scam email from “Rupnarain Kamal” stating that the recipient of the email was due a payment of $22,583,112.00 as a beneficiary for an unclaimed fund at a South African bank. “Back in January, we posted about a scam email we received in the (police department’s) General Email Account Mailbox,” the Ramapo Police Department posted online. “Well, on (Monday), July 22, we received the same ema…
News
Here's How Kids Can Make Sure Grandparents Don't Fall For This All-Too Familiar Scam
Police are educating children and young adults on the ways they can prevent their grandparents from becoming victims of phone scams. These types of scams typically begin when the victim receives a call, usually in the middle of the night. The caller often visits the social media profiles of the victims ahead of time so that they can make the call seem legitimate by providing names, phone numbers and other relevant details. The caller’s story will change with each victim - they got arrested, they got into an accident, etc. - but the request for money is what’s consistent. Victims are typical…
Police & Fire
Beware Of New 'Avoid Arrest' Scam, Police Say
Don’t be duped! Police investigators in Fairfield County are warning area residents to be wary of a new scam making the rounds, with fraudsters posing as members of the department. “A common phone scam across the country appears to be impacting the Fairfield area at this time,” police posted on Facebook. “The Fairfield Police Department has been made aware of numerous calls being made to residents which appear, on caller ID, to be coming from the Fairfield Police Department.” According to police, the scammers will pose as an officer, attempting to convince their victims to pay a fee over t…
News
Scam Alert: 'Spoofing' Schemers Pose As Police
Local police departments have been warning residents of the increased prevalence of phone scams - but a new type of scam has resulted in numerous complaints and concerns. Scammers have started using an Internet application called “spoofing” to enable them to display their caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from a local police department. As a result, those receiving the call feel as though it is legitimate and let their guard down, potentially providing personal information and increasing the chances of becoming a victim. Local law enforcement agencies and representat…
News
Tax Season Scheme: Beware Of Scammers Impersonating IRS, Police Warn
With tax season heating up, area residents are being warned to be cautious of opportunistic fraudsters looking to take advantage of the community’s most vulnerable parties. Area police departments warn that each year, they receive several reports from the community involving tax scams. “Our elderly community members are typically the most vulnerable to these types of scams," one department, Norwalk in Fairfield County, noted. “Please take the time to warn your older family members, neighbors, and friends.” In response, the department released an FTC video online and offered a ser…
News
Black Friday, Cyber Monday Scam Alert Issued
As area residents prepare for the holiday shopping season, authorities have issued tips to help consumers protect themselves on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The following are tips for consumers shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Beware of misleading bargains and added fees. The “sale” price may have been marked up before it was marked down – nullifying the impact of the sale. Often, the touted “sale” price may, in fact, be significantly higher than the price for that same item later in the season. Additionally, delivery charges and/or other added costs such as assembly fees are o…
News
Cybercriminals Targeting Online Payroll Accounts Of Employees, FBI Says
Cybercriminals are targeting online payroll accounts of employees in order to change bank account info and redirect direct deposits, according to the FBI. The federal government has received complaints reporting cybercriminals are targeting the online payroll accounts of employees in a variety of industries. Institutions most affected are education, healthcare and commercial airlines. Cybercriminals reportedly target employees through phishing emails designed to capture an employee’s login credentials, according to the FBI. Once the cybercriminal has obtained an employee’s credentials, th…
Police & Fire
Mailboxes Pried Open, Contents Stolen In Fairfield County
A pair of United States Post Office mailboxes were pried open and their contents were stolen during a late-night heist, police said. The Westport Police Department issued an alert warning that on Aug. 31, the USPS mailboxes on 275 Post Road East and 31 Riverside Ave. were broken into and robbed. Police said that the Office of the Postal Inspector and the Westport Police Department are investigating the incidents. Residents that deposited mail in either of those mailboxes have been cautioned to “remain vigilant and check the status of sent packages and checks.” According to police, resident…
Lifestyle
Alert Issued For Fake Attorney Scam
Local law enforcement agencies are cautioning area residents to be on alert following several scams involving elderly individuals being taken advantage of by fraudsters posing as attorneys. Opportunistic scammers have been preying on the elderly around the country, posing as attorneys and demanding thousands of dollars in cash in bail or bond money for an alleged grandchild who they claim is in trouble. Last month, an 88-year-old woman in California was contacted by a man who claimed to be an attorney, according to New Haven police investigators. He allegedly told her that her grandson was …
News
FBI Warns Of Scam Targeting Car Buyers
If it seems too good to be true, it might be, according to federal investigators. The FBI has issued an alert cautioning area residents to be aware of a national scam involving fraudulent online classified advertisements, offering vehicles that are not for sale, and some that never have been for sale, that are allegedly in their possession. According to the FBI, the fake advertisements tend to include photos that match the description of the alleged vehicle and a phone number or email address to contact the supposed seller. Once contact is established, the fraudster sends the intended buyer…
News
New Scam Alert Issued By Police In Fairfield County
Police in Fairfield County are warning the public about a recent rash of telephone scam making the rounds in the area, involving the immediate payment of taxes with gift cards. Investigators in Greenwich issued an alert regarding the latest round of phone fraudsters, who have alleged to be from the Internal Revenue Service, attempting to invoke immediate payment of allegedly overdue taxes. According to officials, the scammers have been calling local residents, claiming that an arrest is imminent if payment is not made immediately through the purchase of pre-paid debit cards and gift cards. …
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