COVID-19: Justice Department Issues Alert For These Scams COVID-19: Justice Department Issues Alert For These Scams
Covid-19: Justice Department Issues Alert For These Scams The United States Justice Department of Justice is warning the public to be wary of opportunistic fraudsters who have been fear-mongering in the wake of fears of coronavirus. Attorney General William Barr issued an alert warning of fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 outbreak, as he begins to investigate and prosecute scammers. According to Barr, he has directed United States attorneys to prioritize and investigate the prosecution of coronavirus-related fraud schemes. Each has been directed to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial d…
Don't Fall For It: Beware Of These Coronavirus Scams Don't Fall For It: Beware Of These Coronavirus Scams
Don't Fall For It: Beware Of These Coronavirus Scams The outbreak of the Novel coronavirus has also led to the outbreak of new scams by opportunistic fear mongers who are looking to take advantage of the spreading panic surrounding the virus. As of Tuesday, Feb. 21, the World Health Organization (WHO) said there has been 76,769 cases of coronavirus throughout the world, with the risk assessment remaining “high” on a global level. Fifteen cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the United States. The fear and concern about the fast-spreading virus has opened the door for fraudsters who are taking advantage of the situation with a variety o…
Fraud Alert: You Are Not Being Drafted, US Army Says Fraud Alert: You Are Not Being Drafted, US Army Says
Fraud Alert: You Are Not Being Drafted, US Army Says The U.S. Army is still the place where one can “be all that you can be,” but no draft is coming to the country, despite a string of fraudulent messages that have been sent out nationwide by scammers. An alert was issued by the U.S. Army Recruiting Command this week warning of a series of fraudulent text messages that have been making the rounds informing some individuals that they’ve been selected for an upcoming military draft and will face fines or jail time if they don't comply. The Army said that they’ve received multiple calls and emails in recent weeks regarding the fake messages, and…
Imposters Selling English Courses Target Immigrant Community In Westchester Imposters Selling English Courses Target Immigrant Community In Westchester
Imposters Selling English Courses Target Immigrant Community In Westchester An alert has been issued in Westchester warning of opportunistic fraudsters who are targeting Spanish and Hispanic immigrant communities selling high-priced English language courses. The Yonkers Police Department has received information that scammers have been targeting immigrant communities, and if the target of the fraud refuses to pay, they are threatened with false reports to immigration officials if they don’t send along money. Police said that members of the community “are reminded to never engage in financial transactions with unknown people over the telephone, and to simply hang up…
Two Charged With Scamming Area Couple Out Of Thousands Two Charged With Scamming Area Couple Out Of Thousands
Two Charged With Scamming Area Couple Out Of Thousands Two men are facing charges after duping an elderly couple out of thousands of dollars by pretending their grandson was in jail. New York State Police investigators from Orange County responded to a residence in Wawayanda earlier this year, for a report of a “grandparent bail bond scam.” Police said that the couple received a call from someone alleging to be their grandson, stating that he had been arrested and needed bail money.  The couple was then put into contact with an alleged attorney who advised that he needed $8,700 in cash to bail their grandson out of jail. They were t…
Scam Alert: Beware Of Calls, Texts From Fake Uber Employees Scam Alert: Beware Of Calls, Texts From Fake Uber Employees
Scam Alert: Beware Of Calls, Texts From Fake Uber Employees There's a new Uber scam and police are warning area residents to be aware of it. Scam callers claiming to be Uber employees say they need to verify your account login credentials. If the victim doesn't immediately agree, the scammer will say there has been some suspicious activity on your account and "in order to continue driving, you will need to verify four out of five questions." While talking to the victim, the scammer will then send a text message that begins "Reply for verification." That is followed by subsequent texts asking for password and other info. Several victims …
Suspect In $8.8K Scam Apprehended In Northern Westchester Police Sting Suspect In $8.8K Scam Apprehended In Northern Westchester Police Sting
Suspect In $8.8K Scam Apprehended In Northern Westchester Police Sting A man who police say tried to scam a victim out of nearly $9,000 in Northern Westchester has been apprehended in a police sting. Yorktown Police say they received a complaint from a resident who claimed they had been targeted for a phone scam on Wednesday, Sept. 25 around 3 p.m. The caller claimed that the victim’s son was under arrest and that he would be released after a bail payment of $8,800 was made to a courier, police say. Follow-up phone conversations with the caller arranged for the courier to receive the money from the victim at the home, according to police. A man arrived …
Alert Issued For Fake Door-To-Door Fundraising In Westchester Alert Issued For Fake Door-To-Door Fundraising In Westchester
Alert Issued For Fake Door-To-Door Fundraising In Westchester Police are warning area residents to be on alert for an alleged scammer exploiting a child’s battle with cancer to solicit money. Officials warn that there have been reports from residents of a scammer making the rounds throughout Eastchester, claiming to be fundraising on behalf of 13-year-old Nicholas DiMarzo, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. “Please know that the family has not requested, nor authorized, anyone to fundraise in this manner and they are concerned that residents may be conned by deceitful individuals trying to benefit by the cause,” Eastchester Police said, not…
Scammers Spoofing Phone Numbers Of State Agencies To Get Personal Info Scammers Spoofing Phone Numbers Of State Agencies To Get Personal Info
Scammers Spoofing Phone Numbers Of State Agencies To Get Personal Info State agencies in New York are cautioning residents to be wary of the latest scam to hit the area, this one involving opportunistic fraudsters posing as state officials. There has been a rash of reports of scammers spoofing official state phone numbers that will show up on caller IDs. The fraudsters then attempt to ascertain personal information. There have been reports of scammers posing as the New York State Inspector General’s Office, New York State Police, and the Social Security Administration in recent weeks. Several individuals have received phone calls from what appears to be a pri…
There's A New Spin On Gift-Card Scams, FTC Warns There's A New Spin On Gift-Card Scams, FTC Warns
There's A New Spin On Gift-Card Scams, FTC Warns The Federal Trade Commission is warning of a new spin on a well-known scam involving gift cards. You’ve probably heard the stories: a victim receives a call, email or even a text message requesting funds for a seemingly legitimate and worthy cause. The victim is asked to send gift cards or otherwise transfer money to the scammer, who then disappears without a trace. The FTC says scammers are now pretending to be religious officials - pastors, rabbis, priests or bishops - and are asking worshipers for gift card contributions. “Appeals are often made by email, but we’ve heard people are also…
Police Agencies In Area Warn Of Phone, IRS Scams Making The Rounds Police Agencies In Area Warn Of Phone, IRS Scams Making The Rounds
Police Agencies In Area Warn Of Phone, IRS Scams Making The Rounds Police agencies in the area are warning area residents to be wary as a new phone scam has been making the rounds in the area. A Mount Kisco woman reported to Westchester County Police investigators that she had been scammed out of $4,000 by a person claiming to be from the IRS late last month. According to the woman, she received a call saying that she was in tax arrears and she proceeded to follow the fraudster’s instructions to purchase gift cards and call back with the numbers associated with them. “Westchester County Police remind residents that the IRS will not contact taxpayers by ph…
Here's How Many Robocalls New Yorkers Were Bombarded With In April Here's How Many Robocalls New Yorkers Were Bombarded With In April
Here's How Many Robocalls New Yorkers Were Bombarded With In April Robocalls continue to be a scourge for New Yorkers, with millions of callers being flooded by calls “at all hours of the day and night.” In April, New Yorkers received 290.3 million robocalls, which is an average of 112 calls per second and 11 calls per New Yorker. In April, there were 176 million robocalls made to numbers in New York City and Long Island, and there have been more than 720 million robocalls reported since the year started, according to Sen. Chuck Schumer. In response, Schumer is backing legislation that would give federal investigators the tools to trace, prosecute and fi…