Phone Scams

SCAM ALERT

Recently, local area towns have experienced a growing trend of phone scams aiming to solicit money from unsuspecting victims. These scams are typically aimed at the elderly and have been coined “Grandparent Scams” by many; however they can effect anyone.

In these particular scams, a con artist calls or emails the victim posing as a relative in distress or someone claiming to represent the relative (such as a lawyer or law enforcement agent). The "relative" of the grandparent (or family member) explains he or she is in trouble and needs their grandparent to wire them funds that will be used for bail money, lawyer’s fees, hospital bills, or another fictitious expense.

Stay safe. Be Informed.

Often in these scams, the victim is urged not to tell anyone such as other family members because they do not want them to find out about the trouble they've gotten themselves into. The victim never hears from their fake grandchild/relative again and is tricked out of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

To detect and avoid these type of scams, please be aware of the following:

* Beware of any urgent solicitation of funds, especially if it is needed to pay for unexpected bills, such as bail money, lawyer’s fees, or doctor bills

* Before sending funds, independently contact the relative (or parent of the relative) the scam artist is claiming to be (or represent) at a known phone number to verify the details of the story.

* Scam artist’s payment method of choice is the wire transfer. Any urgent request to wire money should be treated suspiciously.

* Other methods of payment in these types of scams also encourage victims to purchase gift card to stores or Online stores like Apple Store.

* Be aware that fraudsters attempting this sort of Scam may call late at night to confuse potential victims.

* Consumers who have been victims of this scam or have received such a call should immediately report it to their local law enforcement to check on the validity of the phone call/email they received.

www.longportpd.org
(609) 822-2141 for Non-Emergency
9-1-1 for Emergency