Above / When an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Even though recent online gimmicks may try other means of persuasion to debunk the old adage, it’s always good to be safe by checking, double checking and checking again with someone you trust. Scammers are online and making phone calls. Hanging up the phone and pressing the delete key usually will save your being scammed.
The Naperville Police Department continues to receive complaints from residents who have received telephone calls from scammers threatening arrest and/or legal action if the resident does not immediately provide some sort of information or payment to the caller.
Residents are reminded to be very cautious of any caller demanding money or payment. Anyone receiving such calls should never make payment or provide the caller with any personal or banking information.
“These callers can sound very convincing and are sometimes quite persistent and even threatening,” said Commander Jason Arres. “We don’t want any of our residents being scared into releasing personal or banking information over the phone.”
Report threatening calls
Receipt of such calls can be reported to the Naperville Police Department through the Online Reporting System, www.naperville.il.us/policeonlinereports, or by calling the department’s non-emergency number, (630) 420-6666.
The Naperville Police Department maintains a list of current scams to educate residents of common tactics used by scammers that are posted on the City of Naperville website at www.naperville.il.us.
News submitted by Commander Jason Arres, Public Information Officer, Naperville Police Department.
To be safe, read Julie Smith’s monthly column
Editor’s Note / PN columnist Julie Smith, Crime Prevention Specialist at the Naperville Police Department has said there are so many tricksters that she could write about the need for residents to protect themselves from scams every month.
Contact her at SmithJu@naperville.il.us or (630) 305-5450.
Some of the scams featured on the City’s website and in Julie Smith’s stories include the following:
IRS Telephone Scam
Potential victims are told they are entitled to big refunds, or that they owe money that must be paid immediately to the IRS. When unsuccessful the first time, phone scammers often call back trying a new strategy. Immigrants are frequently targeted in this scam and are threatened with deportation, arrest, utility shut-off or having their driver’s licenses revoked. Callers may insult victims in an effort to scare them.
Remember: The IRS will always send taxpayers a written notification of any tax due via the U.S. mail. The IRS never asks for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the telephone. For more information or to report a scam, visit www.irs.gov and type “scam” in the search box.
Tech Support Scam
Typically operating out of India, scammers call victims and allege that they’re with a high-profile tech company. Victims are told their computers are either already infected or about to become infected with malware that can cause significant damage, such as operating system corruption or identity theft. The “technicians” then urge users to allow them to have remote access to troubleshoot and fix these issues. All of these actions permit scammers access to computers so they can cause errors, infect systems with malware or perform other damage and then charge for unnecessary repair services. It may also allow them access to personal and financial information.
Remember: Never give anyone remote access to your computer. Instead, hire a local computer repair service whenever necessary.
Grandparent Scam
In the Grandparent Scam, scammers call an older adult and say something similar to: “Hi Grandma, it’s me!” The grandparent then usually responds with the name of their grandchild, unwittingly giving the scammer identity information. The scammer then continues the conversation using the name the grandparent provided. They will usually ask for money to solve some unexpected financial problem such as a car accident, arrest or stolen wallet. Often times they may disclose that they are out of the country and thus need the money to be paid via Western Union or MoneyGram. The scammer will also ask the grandparent to keep this situation between them, as Mom/Dad would be mad if they knew they called. This prevents the grandparent from verifying the story given by the scammer.
Sometimes the call may come not from the supposed grandchild, but from the scammer pretending to be a police officer giving the scam the illusion of credibility. And sometimes it’s not a phone call at all, but rather an email.
Remember: Resist the temptation to act quickly. Contact your grandchild or other family members to verify the information given in the call/email. Don’t wire money based solely on the information given over the phone or email.
Fraudulent/Fake Check Scam
With this scam, victims are tricked into accepting fraudulent or fake checks. This is very common when the victim is selling something through the internet or an ad in the newspaper. Victims will receive a check for a much higher amount than agreed upon. The scammer may give a variety of reasons as to why this has occurred. They eventually convince the victim to send back the overpayment via non-returnable methods, such as wire transfers. Eventually, the scammer’s check bounces and the victim realizes that they have been conned.
Remember: Never accept checks with amounts over the agreed upon price and never send money back. If you are selling an item on the internet or elsewhere, make sure that the check has cleared the bank before releasing the merchandise to the buyer.
Fake Arrest Warrant Scam
Victims receive phone calls, emails and/or faxes stating that arrest warrants have been issued in their name. They are then instructed to call a number to make arrangements in order to avoid arrest. “Fake” law enforcement officials request a settlement be paid via wire transfer, money order or prepaid credit card. Warrants are made to look official and may even display a logo of an unspecified “United States District Court,” a case number and/or various charges. Many of the fake warrants are for offenses such as missed jury duty or bank fraud.
Remember: A valid arrest warrant is served in person by a U.S. Marshal or other law enforcement officer.
Obituary Column Scam
The scammer reads the obituary column and then presents fake bills to the surviving spouse explaining that these were owed by the deceased. Sometimes, the scammer may deliver packages that are presented as items the deceased ordered and now payment is due.
Remember: Verify all outstanding bills with the appropriate company/business. Do not accept any packages you did not order personally.
Bank Examiner Scam
In this scam the perpetrator poses as law enforcement or as a bank employee and ask for the victim’s help in catching a dishonest teller. They ask the victim to withdraw a certain amount of cash from their account and to then give it to them in order for the serial numbers to be checked. Once in the hands of the scammers, the money and the scammer are nowhere to be found.
Remember: Banks do not ask customers for assistance in flushing out dishonest employees.
Utility Scam
In this scam, someone claiming to be with the local utility company comes around during an outage and offers to reconnect the victim’s service for a cash payment. The victim thinks it’s a bit odd that the person is asking for cash, but rationalizes the visit by thinking the company’s power is out, too, and they can’t operate the computers to process payments. The visitor looks and sounds legitimate, and the victim really needs their service turned on. The victim pays, and hours later there are still no utilities and no sign of the person. Eventually, the utility company restores the service, not the so-called “representative” who took the money.
Remember: Local utilities, including the City of Naperville electric and water utility, will never send someone around door-to-door during an outage asking for money to restore services.
Descriptions in italics are a sampling from naperville.il.us that also include Phishing, Foreign Lotteries or Sweepstakes and Collection Agency Scam.
Unwanted email
If this email message “制造业物流与供应链—not spam” ends up in your subject line, simply delete. Don’t even open or you’ll keep getting email notices.
RELATED PN POSTS / Search “Scam” for advisories about local swindle via internet, phone and mail.
