The
latest case involved a remake on the ol’, “Your grandchild is in jail and needs
bail money” scheme. The caller impersonated a San Jose Police
Officer, and ever-so courteously instructed the victim on how to use a prepaid
cash/credit card from GreenDot.com.
We
have also recently heard of individuals calling and impersonating an IRS Agent
asking for back-owed taxes, etc.
The
common thread in all of these scams is a request for payment through a prepaid
cash/credit card or a Western Union money transfer.
Here
are some good general rules go to by EVERY TIME:
- If the caller demands payment by phone….High likelihood it is a SCAM
- If the caller wants payment using a prepaid cash/credit card…..Hang Up – It is a SCAM
- If the caller wants payment via a Western Union Moneygram or other money wire service…Hang Up – It is a SCAM
These
callers are unscrupulous. Among their
favorite target are the elderly. They
will call repeatedly and oftentimes berate the victim. Simply inform them that you have made note of
their number, and are recording the call to turn over to the police. You have our permission to record such calls
for evidentiary purposes. Then, follow up
with a call to the police department to report this.
If
someone tries to use the bail money scheme, remember, you can call the custody
facility and verify the information through their booking unit. Don’t use the phone number the scammer gives
you. Look up the actual number on their Webpage, compare
it to the one given, and the call the number listed on their Webpage.
Be
safe and let’s not make it easy for the crooks!
