The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) is once again reminding residents not to fall victim to scams and especially scams involving law enforcement impersonation.
In a truly unfortunate incident, a Suffolk County resident was recently scammed out of $40,000 of their hard earned money. They sent the funds via multiple transactions after receiving calls and texts from someone pretending to be a member of the SCPD.
The victim was told an unknown person was using his identity to commit crimes and if he did not send money, an arrest warrant would be issued. The victim was contacted during the span of several months and provided wire transfers as well as opened two loans to send money.
More information on the victim is not being released by the police department at this time.
The victim in this instance was not a senior citizen, but it is often vulnerable seniors that do fall victim, losing funds that they rely on to pay monthly bills. These scammers are sophisticated and hard to track. It is highly unlikely funds stolen by professional scammers will ever be recouped.
The Suffolk County Police Department will NEVER demand money in lieu of an arrest.
It is important to keep the following tips in mind to protect yourself and your bank account.
- Don't answer unknown calls and don't believe your caller ID!
- Don't respond to any messages that ask for your personal or financial information.
- Scammers can spoof a number to appear they are calling from a legitimate company or government entity. If they start asking for money or making demands, hang up and call the company or agency directly.
- Do not provide personal information, wire money or send gift cards.
- Talk to someone! Before you give up your money or personal information, talk to someone you trust such as a family member. Con artists want you to make decisions in a hurry.
- Keep in mind that wiring money is like sending cash: the sender has no protection against loss! Don't wire money to strangers.
- Don't respond to a request for payment in gold bars or other precious metals.
- Don't pay upfront for a promise!
- Do not agree to deposit a check from someone you don't know & then wire money back, no matter how convincing their story!
- Avoid getting hurt financially and/or emotionally by a puppy scam! Puppy scammers post fake dog litters online and pretend to be someone they are not. These scammers take advantage of people who are in high emotion situations.
- In the wake of a natural disaster or another crisis, give to established charities rather than one that seems to have sprung up overnight. Pop-up charities probably don't have the infrastructure to get help to the affected areas or people. They could be collecting the money to finance illegal activity. Check out https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/charity-fraud to learn more.
- For more information about investment fraud, visit cftc.gov
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY 1-866-653-4621.