Light Rain Fog/Mist 44°
Tag:

Scam

Police & Fire
Phone Scam: Man Nabbed After Swindling Victim Out Of $28K In Hudson Valley, Police Say Phone Scam: Man Nabbed After Swindling Victim Out Of $28K In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Phone Scam: Man Nabbed After Swindling Victim Out Of $28K In Hudson Valley, Police Say A 48-year-old man was hit with a grand larceny charge after posing as a Microsoft employee and scamming a victim out of $28,000 in Northern Westchester, police announced. The arrest stemmed from an incident on Thursday, April 18, when a victim told Bedford Police that he had been swindled out of tens of thousands of dollars, the department announced on Wednesday, April 24.  According to Bedford Police, the victim had received a pop-up security alert appearing to be from "Microsoft" on their home computer that included a phone number to call for support. Upon calling the number, the vic…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Scammers Posing As NYSP Troopers, Agency Warns Scammers Posing As NYSP Troopers, Agency Warns
Scammers Posing As Nysp Troopers, Agency Warns New York State Police are sounding the alarm over scammers posing as troopers in order to con victims out of their money. In an alert issued Tuesday, April 9, the agency said fraudsters employ a variety of tactics to con their victims, including demanding payment for a missed court date, jury duty, or other legal matter. The phony cops have also been known to claim there is a warrant for the victim’s arrest and threaten to apprehend them unless a fine is paid. In some cases, scammers have directed the victim to buy a prepaid money transfer card and give them the card number. “They might s…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Scammers From NY Thinking They Were Collecting $60K Land Behind Bars In Maryland: Sheriff Scammers From NY Thinking They Were Collecting $60K Land Behind Bars In Maryland: Sheriff
Scammers From NY Thinking They Were Collecting $60K Land Behind Bars In Maryland: Sheriff A couple of New Yorkers tried to pull a fast one on a woman in Maryland, but were ultimately apprehended after getting greedy and attempting to go to the well one too many times.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office was advised this week about a scam involving a pair who had been collecting large amounts of cash from a Hagerstown woman, prompting an investigation that led to the arrests of Jinghai Fang and Binbin Ge. In late March, investigators say that the woman received a notification on her tablet that one of her accounts had been hacked, so she called the supplied number and fo…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Police Warn Of Scam Letters Asking For Donations In Putnam: 'Be Vigilant' Police Warn Of Scam Letters Asking For Donations In Putnam: 'Be Vigilant'
Police Warn Of Scam Letters Asking For Donations In Putnam: 'Be Vigilant' Authorities in the Hudson Valley are warning residents to be on the lookout for letters soliciting funds that falsely appear to be sent on behalf of law enforcement.  In a warning issued on Monday, Dec. 4, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office advised residents that they may receive letters soliciting donations that appear to be sent on behalf of the Sheriff's Office.  However, the senders are not associated with the Sheriff's Office in any way, authorities said, adding that they are part of a "potential scam."  The Sheriff's Office released an image depicting these letters on …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Woman Victimized By Scammer Posing As Family Member Over Phone In Hudson Valley Woman Victimized By Scammer Posing As Family Member Over Phone In Hudson Valley
Woman Victimized By Scammer Posing As Family Member Over Phone In Hudson Valley Residents are being warned to be cautious after a woman in New York was contacted by a scammer who posed as her family member in an effort to solicit money from her.  The Westchester County incident happened to a member of the Port Chester Senior Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 11, when she was victimized by a "grandparent scam," according to an announcement from the center shared by the Port Chester Police Department. According to the community center, the woman received a call from someone who sounded like her grandchild, who said that they were in trouble and needed money …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Suspects Steal Cash, Jewelry Using Sleight Hand Techniques In Yorktown: Police Suspects Steal Cash, Jewelry Using Sleight Hand Techniques In Yorktown: Police
Suspects Steal Cash, Jewelry Using Sleight Hand Techniques In Yorktown: Police Two patrons of a bank and supermarket in Northern Westchester became the victims of four scammers who used sleight-of-hand techniques to steal both cash and jewelry from them, police said.  Both incidents happened within a few days of each other in Yorktown, the town's police department announced on Wednesday, Aug. 23, in addition to releasing surveillance photos of the four suspects.  The first theft happened at an unnamed bank in Jefferson Valley when a senior citizen was approached by a woman wearing a baseball cap after withdrawing funds from the bank and getting in her vehicl…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Suspect At Large After Woman Scammed By Email From 'Familiar Name At Workplace' Suspect At Large After Woman Scammed By Email From 'Familiar Name At Workplace'
Suspect At Large After Woman Scammed By Email From 'Familiar Name At Workplace' A suspect is at large after allegedly scamming a  woman out of money in an email scam pretending he was someone from her workplace in Connecticut. In Fairfield County, the incident took place on Wednesday, March 15 when Darien Police met with the victim of the larceny involving an email scam. The victim reported that earlier in the day she received an email from a familiar name at her workplace. The email requested that she purchase gift cards related to her work function, Darien PD Sgt. Dan Skoumbros said. The email explained to the victim that pictures of the gift cards wi…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Scammers Targeting Religious Groups, Parishioners In Putnam County Scammers Targeting Religious Groups, Parishioners In Putnam County
Scammers Targeting Religious Groups, Parishioners In Putnam County Authorities in the Hudson Valley are warning residents of scammers who have been asking for fraudulent donation requests from religious groups and parishioners.  The warning was issued by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office on Friday, March 10, which said that the scams consist of fraudulent solicitors asking parishioners to donate to their local houses of worship. Usually, the scenario will consist of religious victims being sent an email or text message stating that their house of worship is collecting donations in the form of cash or gift cards, authorities said. The Sheri…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Scam Alert: Fake Fundraiser Involves Police Sweatshirts In Northern Westchester Scam Alert: Fake Fundraiser Involves Police Sweatshirts In Northern Westchester
Scam Alert: Fake Fundraiser Involves Police Sweatshirts In Northern Westchester A police department in Northern Westchester is warning of a fake fundraiser involving the sale of sweatshirts emblazoned with the department's logo.  Sweatshirts sold by MONZANO24 that display the Yorktown Police Department's logo have been falsely advertised as a fundraiser for the department, Yorktown Police said in a post on Monday, Jan. 23.  This is a SCAM if advertised as a fundraiser for YPD. If we ever advertise any item for sale as a fundraiser (like our... Posted by Yorktown Police Department on Monday, January 23, 2023 Members of the department said that any actual fundraise…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Scam Alert: Sweatshirts With Patch Are Fake, Lake Carmel Fire Department Says Scam Alert: Sweatshirts With Patch Are Fake, Lake Carmel Fire Department Says
Scam Alert: Sweatshirts With Patch Are Fake, Lake Carmel Fire Department Says A fire department in the Hudson Valley is warning people not to buy fake sweatshirts that scammers are offering online.  The sweatshirts display a patch with the name of the Lake Carmel Fire Department and are offered by different users on Facebook, including one by the name of "Shawon Rohan Amhad," which the department reported and blocked.  "We are NOT selling these and have NEVER authorized the use of our patch for anyone else to do so!" the department said in a post on Friday, Dec. 23, adding, " In the event we ever have shirts available for sale they will be sold directly fro…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
'Human Piece Of Garbage' Scams Woman Out Of $2K In Area, Police Say 'Human Piece Of Garbage' Scams Woman Out Of $2K In Area, Police Say
'Human Piece Of Garbage' Scams Woman Out Of $2K In Area, Police Say Although a woman from Northern Westchester unfortunately lost $2,000 to a scammer, it could have been much worse, police said. It all started when a woman from Yorktown was contacted by a "human piece of garbage" who claimed to be tech support from Google or Microsoft, and told the victim that he needed to access her email and bank accounts to prevent a virus from compromising them, Yorktown Police said in a post on Wednesday, Dec. 14.  As part of the ruse, the victim purchased close to $2,000 in gift cards on three separate days and then sent scanned pictures of these cards to the sca…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Police In Hudson Valley Warn Of E-Mail Scam Involving Geek Squad Don't Fall For It: Police In Hudson Valley Warn Of E-Mail Scam Involving Geek Squad
Don't Fall For It: Police In Hudson Valley Warn Of E-Mail Scam Involving Geek Squad Police in the Hudson Valley are warning residents of a scam allegedly involving Best Buy's popular Geek Squad after receiving multiple complaints. Victims are being contacted via email reporting that they owe money for a service plan and that there is a past due balance on their account, according to the Spring Valley Police. Victims then provide their bank account information or pre-paid gift cards only to realize a day later a large sum of money is removed from their account without permission, police said. Please contact Detective Fantasia at 845-721-9562 if you have any information on …

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Police In Hudson Valley Warn Against Scammers Posing As Fire Department Members Police In Hudson Valley Warn Against Scammers Posing As Fire Department Members
Police In Hudson Valley Warn Against Scammers Posing As Fire Department Members A police department in Westchester County is warning against scammers posing as fire department members to get business owners to pay them money.  Police said a business owner in Eastchester was contacted by an individual claiming to be part of the town's fire department who said that their business's fire extinguishers were expired, and that they should pay to have their extinguishers inspected, according to a post by Eastchester Police from Wednesday, Nov. 9.  The Eastchester Fire Department would not inspect portable fire extinguishers except for periodic building fire inspecti…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Fraudsters Posing As Door-To-Door Salespeople In Hudson Valley, Police Warn Fraudsters Posing As Door-To-Door Salespeople In Hudson Valley, Police Warn
Fraudsters Posing As Door-To-Door Salespeople In Hudson Valley, Police Warn Police issued an alert to Westchester County residents about a common scam where individuals pose as door-to-door salespeople. The City of Rye Police Department made the announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 16. "With so many residents doing home improvements we have a lot of contractors in our area," police said. "With the optic of our neighborhoods filled with contractors we want to make sure you don’t let your guard down and become the victim of a scam." Police said scammers often claim to be salespeople for a construction company or contractors with extra supplies and say they can offer a good…

SHARE

by Nicole Valinote
News
Don't Fall For It: Fire Department In Area Issues Alert About Scam Messages Don't Fall For It: Fire Department In Area Issues Alert About Scam Messages
Don't Fall For It: Fire Department In Area Issues Alert About Scam Messages A Northern Westchester fire department issued an alert about a texting scam where individuals are pretending to sell apparel on behalf of the department. The Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department said in an announcement on Saturday, Aug. 6, that scammers are texting individuals a link and claiming to offer deals to buy fire department shirts. Officials said this is a scam, and the fire department is not selling any shirts or other apparel. The only legitimate items residents may see from the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department are its "Fund Drive" letters in the mail or "Big Bucks" raffle tickets …

SHARE

by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Putnam County Sheriff Issues Alert For Scam Callers Posing As Police, Relatives Putnam County Sheriff Issues Alert For Scam Callers Posing As Police, Relatives
Putnam County Sheriff Issues Alert For Scam Callers Posing As Police, Relatives Authorities have issued a new alert to Hudson Valley residents about scam callers. Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville said residents should be wary of calls from individuals asking for money, adding that scammers can use a variety of tactics to trick people. These include impersonating police agencies and claiming a relative was arrested and needs bail, even putting people on the phone to impersonate and child or grandchild. Other times scammers may pretend to be government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute the victim unless they pay the scammer, he said.  McConville …

SHARE

by Nicole Valinote
Business
Scam Alert: Phishing Text Messages On Rise, New Report Says Scam Alert: Phishing Text Messages On Rise, New Report Says
Scam Alert: Phishing Text Messages On Rise, New Report Says Cybersecurity experts have reported an increase in phishing scam text messages, according to a new report from CNET. Josh Yavor, the chief information security officer at cybersecurity company Tessian, told the news outlet he has seen a recent increase in scammers using text messages for phishing, where they attempt to steal peoples' personal information by pretending to be reputable organizations. CNET also said a report from enterprise security company Proofpoint found that incidents SMS phishing increased by 24 percent in the United States last year. The Federal Trade Commission reporte…

SHARE

by Nicole Valinote
News
Don't Fall For It: Local Resident Loses $12,000 In Scam Don't Fall For It: Local Resident Loses $12,000 In Scam
Don't Fall For It: Local Resident Loses $12,000 In Scam Several area police agencies are investigating grand larceny complaints after a resident was allegedly scammed out of $12,000.  According to Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra, the scammer -- who is operating in Ulster County -- called a town resident, reporting to be an attorney representing the victim’s grandson, telling the victim he needed to pay $12,000 cash to have his grandson released from jail. The scammer then told the victim that he would send a courier to the victim’s residence to pick up the money. The victim believing the caller was an attorney, went to his lo…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Scammers Banned From Area Stop & Shop After Harassing Customers Scammers Banned From Area Stop & Shop After Harassing Customers
Scammers Banned From Area Stop & Shop After Harassing Customers A group of hecklers in Northern Westchester could be arrested if they return to an area Stop & Shop where they allegedly harassed customers for cash, police said. The North Castle Police Department received a call from a shopper at the North White Plains Stop & Shop on Custis Avenue who said he was approached by multiple Black men in their late teens or early 20s who were asking for donations for their basketball team. Police said that when the caller was preparing to make a donation, an employee from Stop & Shop came outside and advised that the group was scamming him and to n…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Duo Nabbed For Scam Involving Fake DWI Crash In Area, Police Say Duo Nabbed For Scam Involving Fake DWI Crash In Area, Police Say
Duo Nabbed For Scam Involving Fake DWI Crash In Area, Police Say Two women have been arrested in an alleged scam attempt in which they alleged that the victim's relative had been arrested for a fatal DWI crash and needed bail money. Elizabeth Taveras, age 29, and Sade Rosario, age 29, both of New York City, were arrested by the Dutchess County's Sheriff's Office on Friday, Jan. 28, in connection with the scam of an area resident. According to Captain John Watterson, of the Sheriff's Office, the women, posing as a legal team, called a local resident and informed them that a relative was a suspect in a DWI-related fatal crash and that they w…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Duo Nabbed For Attempting To Scam Nearly $10K From Hudson Valley Woman Duo Nabbed For Attempting To Scam Nearly $10K From Hudson Valley Woman
Duo Nabbed For Attempting To Scam Nearly $10K From Hudson Valley Woman Two Connecticut men are facing larceny charges for their alleged attempt to scam a Westchester County woman out of thousands of dollars. Kylo Simons and Rayshawn McFarlane, both of Hartford, were each charged with third-degree larceny, according to the Irvington Police Department. The 77-year-old Irvington woman was contacted by an individual who identified herself as the attorney for the woman's grandson, police said.  The caller reportedly said she had the ability to facilitate a bail transaction of $9,800 for the fake arrest. The victim was then contacted by the same cal…

SHARE

by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Social Security Scam Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Social Security Scam
Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Social Security Scam Alarm bells are sounding for law enforcement agencies as a new Social Security scam continues making the rounds as opportunistic fraudsters look to exploit the elderly. An alert was issued by police agencies in New York after they received multiple reports of scammers impersonating Social Security Administration (SSA) employees over the phone requesting personal information or money. Police said that some of the imposters have made threats or demanded immediate payment to help their victims avoid arrest or potential legal action. Officials noted that SSA employees will never threaten anyon…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Text Message Phishing Scheme On Vaccine Verification COVID-19: Alert Issued For Text Message Phishing Scheme On Vaccine Verification
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Text Message Phishing Scheme On Vaccine Verification State officials are warning New Yorkers about a new scam where individuals attempt to steal information by pretending to be the state Department of Health attempting to validate COVID-19 vaccination status. The New York State Division of Consumer Protection issued the alert on Tuesday, Oct. 12, saying scammers are exploiting policies by employers requiring certain employees to be vaccinated.  The individuals text or email a fraudulent link asking people to enter their personal information.  Officials said anyone who receives these messages should immediately delete them. To prot…

SHARE

by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Alert Issued For Scams Involving Fake Arrest Warrants Alert Issued For Scams Involving Fake Arrest Warrants
Alert Issued For Scams Involving Fake Arrest Warrants Law enforcement agencies in the Hudson Valley are cautioning about a returning scam making the round involving fraudsters posing as corrections officers claiming there is a warrant out for their victims’ arrest. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert after receiving multiple reports from local residents regarding a scam involving the phony arrest warrants that can disappear if they are paid a certain amount of money. “Scams are ways in which criminals will attempt to get money from people by contacting them and making up elaborate stories,” according to the Dutchess Count…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams COVID-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams Opportunistic fraudsters have taken advantage of some consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic, this time targeting child tax credit payments that have been sent out to assist families. The IRS recently issued an alert after it began sending tens of millions of dollars to families, though scammers have been attempting to pull a fast one over on some to steal thousands of dollars in federal benefits. According to the IRS, scammers have been reaching out to families using emails, text messages, and through social media, asking to verify personal information to receive the child tax credit payme…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Man Accused Of Scamming Victim In Putnam County Out Of $100K Man Accused Of Scamming Victim In Putnam County Out Of $100K
Man Accused Of Scamming Victim In Putnam County Out Of $100K A Long Island man busted by undercover police officers attempting to scam an 85-year-old Hudson Valley woman out of more than $100,000 was convicted by a jury on multiple charges, the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office announced. Suffolk County resident James Mcinerney, of Coram, was convicted following a jury trial of second-degree grand larceny, attempted grand larceny, and resisting arrest following a months-long scheme that saw him bilk a Cold Spring woman out of tens of thousands of dollars. Putnam County District Attorney Robert Tendy said that between July 2018 and Decembe…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
New Warning Issued For Con Artists Posing As Amazon Workers New Warning Issued For Con Artists Posing As Amazon Workers
New Warning Issued For Con Artists Posing As Amazon Workers Local law enforcement agencies are cautioning area residents to be wary following recent reports of opportunistic fraudsters posing as Amazon employees over the phone to gain access to personal information. Officials said that con artists have been posing as Amazon employees claiming to need verification about their account or that something is wrong with an order, allowing them to attempt stealing their victims’ identities. According to police, once a call is answered, a recorded message will claim to be from Amazon stating there is a problem with their account. Messages included claims …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: FBI Investigating Reports Of Fake Vaccination Cards COVID-19: FBI Investigating Reports Of Fake Vaccination Cards
Covid-19: FBI Investigating Reports Of Fake Vaccination Cards The FBI has launched a probe into the discovery of phony COVID-19 vaccination cards that are being sold by fraudsters online and through social media, threatening the progress America has. been making in combating the virus. FBI investigators and other federal officials are looking into the fake COVID-19 cards that are supposed to be administered by healthcare providers before one receives a first dose of the vaccine, but have instead been making the rounds online. Officials said that since there’s no way to authenticate vaccination cards, it's even easier for scammers to create their own, …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Police Issue Warning For 'Virus Alert' Scam For Those Online Police Issue Warning For 'Virus Alert' Scam For Those Online
Police Issue Warning For 'Virus Alert' Scam For Those Online While all eyes are on COVID-19, a different type of “virus scam” has been making the rounds. Law enforcement officials issued a warning of a new scam involving hackers who attempt to dupe people on the Internet who are browsing the web. According to police, those who have been victimized unexpectedly got a “virus alert” on their desktop designed to look as if it came from Microsoft that took over the entire browser page. The victim then called “Microsoft” at the 800-641-7676 number provided on the browser window, at which point the scammer said that the user probably had a virus and would …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Request For Donations For Letter Carrier Is A Scam, U.S. Postal Service Says Request For Donations For Letter Carrier Is A Scam, U.S. Postal Service Says
Request For Donations For Letter Carrier Is A Scam, U.S. Postal Service Says This story has been updated. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a new scam asking for donations for a letter carrier in Garrison. According to the United States Postal Inspectors Service, residents are receiving a holiday card in their mailboxes asking for Christmas donations for a letter carrier in Garrison. The request is a scam, the service said. "Don't take the bait, call postal inspectors," they said. If you did receive a card for the request, call 877-876-2455.

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
News
Man Robbed By Duo Posing As Utility Company Workers In Area Man Robbed By Duo Posing As Utility Company Workers In Area
Man Robbed By Duo Posing As Utility Company Workers In Area Central Hudson Gas & Electric is warning customers to exercise extra caution after a man was robbed by two men posing as employees of the utility company.  The men approached the victim’s door in the Village of Catskill in Greene County and identified themselves as Central Hudson employees on Thursday, Dec. 10, who were replacing a transformer in the area, and requested to inspect the victim’s circuit breaker panel, the company said.  It was later determined that the subjects stole cash after gaining entry to the home. “Central Hudson follows strict protocols when communicati…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes