Advisory: Special Message From SMPD Officers About Current Scams, and What You Can Do About It!
MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
SMPD Brings you the latest fraud techniques, and some great safety tips – straight from our Officers on the Street!
Our SMPD Patrol and Downtown Units have noticed these fraud trends, and felt it was important to share them with you, along with what you can do about it.
Officers noticed a fraud in January where victims received unsolicited calls from suspects who identified themselves as employees of official sounding financial businesses or agencies, demanding that the victim wire or send money for a non-existent debt. The suspects targeted non-english speaking and non-resident victims, threatening arrest and deportation.
This month, our officers received several reports of suspects claiming to be employed or contracted by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), who telephoned the victim to “collect delinquent balances”. The suspect threatens to turn off the victim’s electricity within the hour unless they provide a serial number for a pre-paid money card. The crooks even provide the victims with instructions on how to obtain the money card!
SMPD urges you to remember these tips:
• As a rule, you should never respond to a telephone call, email, or mail request to send money through a wire service.
• If you are requested to send the money to another country consider it fraud every time!
• If you receive calls that threaten arrest, deportation, etc, contact your local law enforcement or local legal aid agencies for advice.
• Handle all business with PG&E through official channels. PG&E’s website is www.pge.com, which has an online bill pay option. PG&E representatives can also be contacted via 1(800)743-5000.
• If you get a Caller ID number, check the internet to see if there are any scam alerts associated with it.
If you fall victim to a scam or fraud, or THINK you have ben scammed, contact SMPD – 650-522-7700
More details and more tips available at SMPD’s Public Safety Blog -http://sanmateopd.org/2014/02/08/smpd-scam-alert-latest-phone-fraud-techniques-and-what-you-can-do/
Subscribe to localized community alerts from SMPD, right to your mobile device and/or email – www.nixle.com
Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/sanmateopd
CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
SMPD Brings you the latest fraud techniques, and some great safety tips – straight from our Officers on the Street!
Our SMPD Patrol and Downtown Units have noticed these fraud trends, and felt it was important to share them with you, along with what you can do about it.
Officers noticed a fraud in January where victims received unsolicited calls from suspects who identified themselves as employees of official sounding financial businesses or agencies, demanding that the victim wire or send money for a non-existent debt. The suspects targeted non-english speaking and non-resident victims, threatening arrest and deportation.
This month, our officers received several reports of suspects claiming to be employed or contracted by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), who telephoned the victim to “collect delinquent balances”. The suspect threatens to turn off the victim’s electricity within the hour unless they provide a serial number for a pre-paid money card. The crooks even provide the victims with instructions on how to obtain the money card!
SMPD urges you to remember these tips:
• As a rule, you should never respond to a telephone call, email, or mail request to send money through a wire service.
• If you are requested to send the money to another country consider it fraud every time!
• If you receive calls that threaten arrest, deportation, etc, contact your local law enforcement or local legal aid agencies for advice.
• Handle all business with PG&E through official channels. PG&E’s website is www.pge.com, which has an online bill pay option. PG&E representatives can also be contacted via 1(800)743-5000.
• If you get a Caller ID number, check the internet to see if there are any scam alerts associated with it.
If you fall victim to a scam or fraud, or THINK you have ben scammed, contact SMPD – 650-522-7700
More details and more tips available at SMPD’s Public Safety Blog -http://sanmateopd.org/2014/02/08/smpd-scam-alert-latest-phone-fraud-techniques-and-what-you-can-do/
Subscribe to localized community alerts from SMPD, right to your mobile device and/or email – www.nixle.com
Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/sanmateopd
For full details, view this message on the web.
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