Tag:

Fraud Prevention

Carmel, NY
Police & Fire
‘Captain Mark Jones’ Phone Scam Targets Putnam County Residents, Sheriff Warns ‘Captain Mark Jones’ Phone Scam Targets Putnam County Residents, Sheriff Warns
‘Captain Mark Jones’ Phone Scam Targets Putnam County Residents, Sheriff Warns Authorities are warning Putnam County residents about a phone scam after a caller pretending to be a member of the Sheriff’s Office tried to trick someone into paying money. The incident happened in Putnam County, where a Carmel resident reported receiving a call from a man claiming to be “Captain Mark Jones” with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The caller told the resident there was an outstanding warrant and requested payment to clear it. Deputies said there is no Captain Mark Jones at the Sheriff’s Office and emphasized they would n…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Camden, NJ
News
Data Breach Exposed 57K Cooper Health Care Patients' Info, Lawsuits Say Data Breach Exposed 57K Cooper Health Care Patients' Info, Lawsuits Say
Data Breach Exposed 57K Cooper Health Care Patients' Info, Lawsuits Say Cooper Health System is facing a wave of legal woes after revealing a data breach that may have exposed the personal and medical information of more than 57,000 people, according to legal filings and the health care system itself. Two lawsuits, one in federal court and one in New Jersey Superior Court, were filed this week by patients who say the breach was the result of Cooper's “negligence” and “failure to protect sensitive data.” According to a notice posted by Cooper on May 23, the hospital learned that an unauthorized actor had accessed private data on or around May 14, 2024. Coop…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Hartford, CT
Business
Zelle Shuts Down App For Payments: Here's How To Keep Receiving, Sending Money Zelle Shuts Down App For Payments: Here's How To Keep Receiving, Sending Money
Zelle Shuts Down App For Payments: Here's How To Keep Receiving, Sending Money Zelle has officially ended payments through its standalone app. A notice appeared in the Zelle app on Wednesday, April 2, telling users that they could no longer use the app to send or receive money. Those who still have the app can still log in to view their transaction history, but transfers are no longer supported. Zelle said it had about 151 million users in 2024, with people and businesses sending more than $1 trillion. "This app is no longer available for sending and receiving money," the notice said. "You will be able to log in until August 11, 2025, but not send…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Alexandria, VA
News
Don't Fall For This Fake Email Scam, Feds Warn Don't Fall For This Fake Email Scam, Feds Warn
Don't Fall For This Fake Email Scam, Feds Warn A new scam is targeting people with a fake email and officials are urging the public to stay vigilant. The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has issued the warning about fraudulent emails impersonating the agency.  These emails, which carry the subject line “Claim Benefits!”, falsely claim that recipients must apply for their 2025 Social Security benefits through a provided link. How Scam Works The scam email appears to come from SSA and directs users to a fake website disguised to look like SSA’s official page. However, clicking on the link l…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Schnecksville-Orefield-Neffs, PA
Police & Fire
Schnecksville Senior Loses $250K In Mega Millions Lottery Scam Schnecksville Senior Loses $250K In Mega Millions Lottery Scam
Schnecksville Senior Loses $250K In Mega Millions Lottery Scam An 84-year-old Schnecksville man was swindled out of $250,000 by scammers posing as Mega Millions representatives, Pennsylvania State Police announced on  Over the course of a year, from December 2023 to December 2024, the victim believed they were interacting with legitimate lottery officials, investigators said. The fraudsters convinced the senior to transfer large sums of money under false pretenses. No suspects have been identified in the ongoing investigation, PSP Bethlehem Patrol Unit said. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact them.

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
Arlington, VA
Business
USPS Redesigns Money Orders: How New Security Elements Will Fight Fraud USPS Redesigns Money Orders: How New Security Elements Will Fight Fraud
USPS Redesigns Money Orders: How New Security Elements Will Fight Fraud The U.S. Postal Service is redesigning its money orders to include advanced security elements for combatting counterfeits and fraud, officials said. The USPS will debut the new money orders in February, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The redesigned orders will be red, white, and blue with an updated bank routing number. To enhance protection, the redesign incorporates watermarks, a security thread, and a QR code directing users to the USPS website. Additional security features remain undisclosed to further deter fraudulent activities. The current "legacy" des…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
New Rochelle, NY
Business
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App's parent company will have to pay $175 million for poorly protecting its users from fraud and financial crimes on the payment platform, officials said. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Block to refund up to $120 million to users harmed by fraud, the federal agency said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The parent company of Cash App, which has more than 56 million accounts, must also pay a $55 million fine into the CFPB’s victims relief fund. The CFPB found that Block failed to properly investigate unauthorized transactions and deprived users of…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Yonkers, NY
Police & Fire
Scammers Threatening Victims With Arrest, Impersonating Officers In Yonkers Scammers Threatening Victims With Arrest, Impersonating Officers In Yonkers
Scammers Threatening Victims With Arrest, Impersonating Officers In Yonkers Residents in Westchester are being warned about phone scammers impersonating police and tricking victims into handing over money.  The warning was issued on Friday, Dec. 13 after the Yonkers Police Department received reports of scammers "spoofing" official department phone numbers, including the 1st Precinct at (914) 377-7477.  According to police, the scammers call individuals and either threaten them with arrest unless a fake fine is paid or request fraudulent donations to the department. "The Yonkers Police Department will NEVER call you to demand payment," officials sai…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
Business
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know New reports reveal that scammers are trying to trick Google into showing their fake numbers pretending to offer reputable services, and many are getting away with it. Google sometimes highlights impostors during searches for airlines, banks, as well as local businesses, according to a brand-new report in The Washington Post. A victim who called what Google listed as Coinbase customer support was scammed out of $100,000 in 20 minutes by an impostor, Fortune reports. Google told The Washington Post that it uses several methods to determine whether business listings are legitimate, inclu…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Albany, NY
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise
Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise Police are warning of an uptick in scammers hoping to take advantage of the warmer spring weather. Each year, agencies across the country see an increase in complaints about fraudsters who bait homeowners with driveway paving services, according to the North Greenbush Police Department in New York. “As the trees sprout leaf buds and the daffodils peek out of their underground hiding, so must the scam artists offering to pave or sealcoat your driveway for the low low price of only five times what it would cost for a legitimate business to do it,” the agency said on Facebook. “And they must b…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Lynn, MA
Police & Fire
Card Skimmer Found In Chelsea Market Basket: Police Card Skimmer Found In Chelsea Market Basket: Police
Card Skimmer Found In Chelsea Market Basket: Police Another Market Basket has been targeted by card skimmers, this time in Chelsea, but police and store workers were able to find and remove the device within minutes. A fraudulent credit card reading device, or a “skimmer,” was placed on a register at the grocery store on Everett Avenue on Tuesday, Dec. 5, according to Chelsea police. Related: 5 Market Baskets Find Credit Card Skimmers In Haverhill, Somerville, Reading: Police “We have the device and are working with the Market Basket as well as our regional partners to see if the devices are related to other recent incidents,” police said o…

SHARE

by Khier Casino
Beekman-Poughquag, NY
News
Authorities In Region Issue New Warning Of Phone Scammers Posing As Cops Authorities In Region Issue New Warning Of Phone Scammers Posing As Cops
Authorities In Region Issue New Warning Of Phone Scammers Posing As Cops Law enforcement authorities in the region have issued a new warning about an increased number of phone scammers trying to trick people out of their hard-earned money. The latest scam involves criminals posing as law enforcement officers claiming that victims need to pay money in order to avoid criminal charges, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said. In one recent case, the scammers identified themselves as “Dutchess County Sergeant Cook.” That warning comes just days after the Putnam County Sheriff's Office issued a similar advisory. Earlier report - Don't Fall For It: Scammers In …

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Poughkeepsie, NY
News
Phone Scams Under Investigation In Area Phone Scams Under Investigation In Area
Phone Scams Under Investigation In Area Residents in the area are being warned to look out for potential phone scammers. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said it has seen an uptick in attempted scams in the area, including two instances where would-be fraudsters posed as members of law enforcement. “In some cases the perpetrators have tried, sometimes successfully, to use the victim’s emotions about a loved one in trouble to get money,” read the sheriff's office said. “It’s common for the perpetrators of these scams to try to get money by telling people that one of their relatives has been seriously hurt or is in jail, and …

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Paterson, NJ
News
FBI: Moving Company Brothers From Paterson Jacked Up Estimates, Held Belongings Hostage FBI: Moving Company Brothers From Paterson Jacked Up Estimates, Held Belongings Hostage
FBI: Moving Company Brothers From Paterson Jacked Up Estimates, Held Belongings Hostage The FBI charged a Paterson fugitive captured in New Mexico, his brother and another man with ripping off vulnerable customers of their moving company. There may be more victims of 11Even Movers & Storage out there who haven’t contacted authorities, bureau officials said Monday, urging them to come forward. Abdal Abuawad, 26, was brought before a federal judge in Newark on Monday following his arrest in New Mexico last week, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. He was released on a $300,000 unsecured bond, as were his brother, Abdalh Abuawad, 28, a Jordanian national, …

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Yonkers, NY
News
COVID-19: Don't Fall For These Vaccine-Related Scams, Police Say COVID-19: Don't Fall For These Vaccine-Related Scams, Police Say
Covid-19: Don't Fall For These Vaccine-Related Scams, Police Say The rise in Americans going out and getting the COVID-19 vaccine has also brought about a rise in the number of opportunistic scammers looking to take advantage of the pandemic, law enforcement officials are cautioning. An alert was issued by police in the area regarding COVID-19 vaccine scams that have been reported to law enforcement agencies across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), scammers have been using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Middletown, NJ
Police & Fire
Bronx Foursome Foiled By Central Jersey Woman, 77, In 'Grandparent Scam' Bronx Foursome Foiled By Central Jersey Woman, 77, In 'Grandparent Scam'
Bronx Foursome Foiled By Central Jersey Woman, 77, In 'Grandparent Scam' Three men and a woman from the Bronx were arrested after calling a 77-year-old woman from Monmouth County to say her grandson needed bail money, authorities said. After the caller told the elderly woman that people would come pick up the money at her house -- and that she shouldn’t tell anyone -- the unidentified senior citizen called her grandson to confirm he had not been arrested, Marlboro Police Capt. Stephen J. Levy said in a statement Wednesday. The grandmother then went to police headquarters to report the attempted scam and Marlboro officers arrested the foursome when they came to g…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Garfield-Lodi, NJ
Police & Fire
BEWARE: 'Warrant For Your Arrest' Phone Scams Increasing BEWARE: 'Warrant For Your Arrest' Phone Scams Increasing
Beware: 'Warrant For Your Arrest' Phone Scams Increasing If a caller tells you there’s a warrant for your arrest and that you can make it go away by sending money somewhere, be sure that you don't. A Garfield man recently got such a call. His caller ID showed the name and main number for the Garfield Police Department, authorities said. So he picked up. On the other end was a scammer who had “spoofed” the department’s main number, Capt. Richard Uram said. “Spoofing technology allows a scammer to have a local phone number appear on a caller ID even if they are calling from a different state or country,” Uram said. “[It] makes you think you are…

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Jersey City, NJ
Police & Fire
Jersey City Police Union Starts Fundraiser For Family Of Detective Joe Seals Jersey City Police Union Starts Fundraiser For Family Of Detective Joe Seals
Jersey City Police Union Starts Fundraiser For Family Of Detective Joe Seals A union, the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association, has set up a GoFuneMe page to benefit the family of Detective Joseph Seals, the Jersey City police officer killed Tuesday prior to an attack on a nearby kosher grocery store.  To contribute to the effort, click here.  "The JCPOBA has set up this GoFundMe page to accommodate all of the generous offers of support we have received in the hours since this incident. All of the dollars raised will go directly to the Seals family, helping them cover education, housing, and other expenses for the five children that Joe …

SHARE

by Paul Milo
Massapequa, NY
News
Scam Alert: Don't Fall For This Amazon Hoax Scam Alert: Don't Fall For This Amazon Hoax
Scam Alert: Don't Fall For This Amazon Hoax With the holiday seasons fast approaching, officials are warning of a “new phone scam that has been making the rounds targeting Amazon users. According to police, area residents have reported receiving an automated phone call from a fraudster claiming to be from Amazon in need of discussing a recent order. Officials said that the largest are instructed to press “1” to cancel the order or “2” to speak with a representative. No matter what button is pressed, the message states that the order is canceled and in order to fix it, the target must call an 800 number to speak with someone directly.…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Shelton, CT
News
Warnings Issued For Text, TV 'Smishing' Scams Warnings Issued For Text, TV 'Smishing' Scams
Warnings Issued For Text, TV 'Smishing' Scams Officials are warning of new “smishing” scams that have been making the rounds. The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert cautioning consumers of new scams that have been using text messages, not the traditional emails. One such scam involves the fraudster offering to provide major savings on television services. The scams involve the victims sending back personal information, or infecting devices with malware. According to the Better Business Bureau, this new scheme is called “smishing” which stands for SMS fishing, as opposed to “phishing,” which involves email. “We’re kind of condit…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
Police & Fire
ALERT: Bergen Sheriff Warns Citizens Not To Fall For Arrest-Threat Phone Scam ALERT: Bergen Sheriff Warns Citizens Not To Fall For Arrest-Threat Phone Scam
ALERT: Bergen Sheriff Warns Citizens Not To Fall For Arrest-Threat Phone Scam Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton warned citizens again Tuesday about a phone scam by thieves impersonating department officers. The scammers are “spoofing” his office's general number, then posing as sheriff's officers threatening unsuspecting victims with arrest for what they say are outstanding summonses for failing to appear in court, he said. One scammer previously claimed to be with a "Division of Warrants and Citations" -- not an official title under the sheriff's command. “The Bergen County Sheriff's Office, IRS, Social Security, or any other legitimate business or governm…

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Cortlandt, NY
Police & Fire
Two Charged With Scamming Area Couple Out Of Thousands Two Charged With Scamming Area Couple Out Of Thousands
Two Charged With Scamming Area Couple Out Of Thousands Two men are facing charges after duping an elderly couple out of thousands of dollars by pretending their grandson was in jail. New York State Police investigators from Orange County responded to a residence in Wawayanda earlier this year, for a report of a “grandparent bail bond scam.” Police said that the couple received a call from someone alleging to be their grandson, stating that he had been arrested and needed bail money.  The couple was then put into contact with an alleged attorney who advised that he needed $8,700 in cash to bail their grandson out of jail. They were t…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
Police & Fire
ALERT: Bergen Sheriff Warns Citizens Not To Fall For Arrest-Threat Phone Scam ALERT: Bergen Sheriff Warns Citizens Not To Fall For Arrest-Threat Phone Scam
ALERT: Bergen Sheriff Warns Citizens Not To Fall For Arrest-Threat Phone Scam Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton warned citizens about a recent phone scam by thieves impersonating department officers. Cureton's office has received several recent complaints about callers posing as sheriff's officers threatening targeted victims with arrest for what they say are outstanding summonses for failing to appear in court, the sheriff said Monday. The caller claim to be with a “Division of Warrants and Citations," he said. “While the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for issuing warrants, the office does not have a ‘Division of Warrants and Citations,’ " Cureto…

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Brentwood, NY
Police & Fire
Threat Of Violence Phone/Text Scam Alert Issued On Long Island Threat Of Violence Phone/Text Scam Alert Issued On Long Island
Threat Of Violence Phone/Text Scam Alert Issued On Long Island Southampton Town Police Department is warning the public of a  phone/text scam involving calls or texts to victims containing graphic photos.  According to police, Latino callers are texting or calling victims stating they know where the victim works or lives and implies a threat of harm if the victim does not comply with demands of money to the caller, said Southampton Police Lt. Susan Ralph. There have also been several calls and texts using the same graphic photo or similar graphic photos depicting an execution-style murder, she said. "Southa…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Police & Fire
Denville Post Office Burglarized, Police Say Denville Post Office Burglarized, Police Say
Denville Post Office Burglarized, Police Say Police are looking for the thief who took mail from the Denville Post Office, authorities said. Mail was taken from the container outside of the Clark Street building early this week, Denville Police Capt. Jeffrey Tucker said. Anyone who placed mail inside of the container between Saturday and Monday is urged to check their banks and credit card companies for fraud, Tucker said. Anyone who suspects fraud is urged to contact Denville Township Police.

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Middletown-Wallkill, NY
Police & Fire
Scammers Spoofing Phone Numbers Of State Agencies To Get Personal Info Scammers Spoofing Phone Numbers Of State Agencies To Get Personal Info
Scammers Spoofing Phone Numbers Of State Agencies To Get Personal Info State agencies in New York are cautioning residents to be wary of the latest scam to hit the area, this one involving opportunistic fraudsters posing as state officials. There has been a rash of reports of scammers spoofing official state phone numbers that will show up on caller IDs. The fraudsters then attempt to ascertain personal information. There have been reports of scammers posing as the New York State Inspector General’s Office, New York State Police, and the Social Security Administration in recent weeks. Several individuals have received phone calls from what appears to be a pri…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Massapequa, NY
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Unclaimed Funds Email Scam Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Unclaimed Funds Email Scam
Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Unclaimed Funds Email Scam Police in the area are cautioning local residents of a recent email scam that has been making the rounds throughout the region. One police department, located in Rockland County, reports it just received a scam email from “Rupnarain Kamal” stating that the recipient of the email was due a payment of $22,583,112.00 as a beneficiary for an unclaimed fund at a South African bank. “Back in January, we posted about a scam email we received in the (police department’s) General Email Account Mailbox,” the Ramapo Police Department posted online. “Well, on (Monday), July 22, we received the same ema…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Pelham, NY
News
Here's How Kids Can Make Sure Grandparents Don't Fall For This All-Too Familiar Scam Here's How Kids Can Make Sure Grandparents Don't Fall For This All-Too Familiar Scam
Here's How Kids Can Make Sure Grandparents Don't Fall For This All-Too Familiar Scam Police are educating children and young adults on the ways they can prevent their grandparents from becoming victims of phone scams. These types of scams typically begin when the victim receives a call, usually in the middle of the night. The caller often visits the social media profiles of the victims ahead of time so that they can make the call seem legitimate by providing names, phone numbers and other relevant details. The caller’s story will change with each victim - they got arrested, they got into an accident, etc. - but the request for money is what’s consistent. Victims are typical…

SHARE

by Valerie Musson
Brookfield, CT
Police & Fire
Beware Of New 'Avoid Arrest' Scam, Police Say Beware Of New 'Avoid Arrest' Scam, Police Say
Beware Of New 'Avoid Arrest' Scam, Police Say Don’t be duped! Police investigators in Fairfield County are warning area residents to be wary of a new scam making the rounds, with fraudsters posing as members of the department. “A common phone scam across the country appears to be impacting the Fairfield area at this time,” police posted on Facebook. “The Fairfield Police Department has been made aware of numerous calls being made to residents which appear, on caller ID, to be coming from the Fairfield Police Department.” According to police, the scammers will pose as an officer, attempting to convince their victims to pay a fee over t…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Fairfield, CT
News
Scam Alert: 'Spoofing' Schemers Pose As Police Scam Alert: 'Spoofing' Schemers Pose As Police
Scam Alert: 'Spoofing' Schemers Pose As Police Local police departments have been warning residents of the increased prevalence of phone scams - but a new type of scam has resulted in numerous complaints and concerns. Scammers have started using an Internet application called “spoofing” to enable them to display their caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from a local police department. As a result, those receiving the call feel as though it is legitimate and let their guard down, potentially providing personal information and increasing the chances of becoming a victim. Local law enforcement agencies and representat…

SHARE

by Valerie Musson
North Salem, NY
News
Measure To Ban Robocalls Gains Momentum Among State Lawmakers Measure To Ban Robocalls Gains Momentum Among State Lawmakers
Measure To Ban Robocalls Gains Momentum Among State Lawmakers State lawmakers in New York are taking a stand against robocalls, proposing a bill that would stop automated phone calls from being placed without prior consent. New York Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou, and consumer advocates announced the Robocall Prevention Act in Albany on Tuesday, following a record number of unwanted calls that were made in 2018. According to Hoylman, more than 47.8 billion robocalls were placed nationwide in 2018. “Our bill will stop robocalls from being made to any telephone number owned by a person in New York, unless for emergency purposes or wi…

SHARE

by Zak Failla