Connecticut’s state authorities are issuing a stern warning about a disturbing new trend targeting college athletes and their families. According to authorities, scammers are exploiting publicly available information to dupe unsuspecting individuals into making immediate payments under false pretenses, creating a sense of urgency and panic in the process.
Reports from Connecticut State University Police Departments have revealed a troubling pattern. The callers, posing as university police officers, contact parents of university students, specifically targeting student-athletes. They claim that the student-athlete has been slapped with citations for various infractions like open container violations, curfew breaches, or trespassing. To compound the urgency, the scammer demands immediate payment through platforms like CashApp and Venmo.
If this scam rings a bell, it’s because it bears striking resemblances to both the grandparent scam and the virtual kidnapping scam, sprinkled with elements of police impersonation. It’s now known more commonly as the family emergency scam.
It’s a chilling reminder that scammers stop at nothing to manipulate emotions and coerce victims into compliance. The tactic of impersonating law enforcement adds an extra layer of credibility and intimidation, leaving victims feeling cornered and compelled to act swiftly.
The State of Connecticut has issued a statement that said, a legitimate police department or campus safety program will never solicit payment for citations over the phone.
Although this version of the scam is aimed at student-athletes, previous iterations have targeted the families of college students who aren’t involved in athletics. Essentially, any parent with a child attending college could potentially fall victim to this scam.
Individuals who receive suspicious calls or communications purporting to be from law enforcement are urged to hang up immediately and report the incident to local police. Furthermore, those who have fallen victim to this scam are advised to take swift action by contacting their financial institutions to mitigate potential damages.
The scam, known by various aliases such as the arrest warrant scam or the jury duty scam, is a form of police impersonation scheme that has become increasingly common. In this fraudulent tactic, perpetrators masquerade as representatives from the victim’s local law enforcement agency, often spoofing official phone numbers to enhance their credibility.
The typical method involves informing the victim of an outstanding arrest warrant, commonly fabricated for offenses like missing jury duty, though the pretext can vary. The primary objective of the scam is to coerce the victim into paying a fine purportedly to resolve the warrant. Payment is typically demanded through channels that are difficult to trace, such as money transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
However, in a recent incident reported in Orlando, Florida, a victim discovered that the scam had a secondary agenda if the initial ploy failed. A fraudster posing as an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy contacted the victim, attempting to instill fear of imminent arrest and requesting payment via a money order. Although the victim resisted this primary coercion attempt, the scammers had a backup plan.
Remarkably, the scammers possessed extensive personal information about their target, including their name, address, date of birth, and complete Social Security number. Such data can be obtained through illicit means, such as purchasing from other criminals or harvesting from data breaches. To execute their fallback strategy, the scammers required a voice recording of the victim.
It remains unclear whether the perpetrators employed advanced AI-generated voice spoofing tools, or if they resorted to a variation of the “Can you hear me now?” scam. In the latter, scammers prompt victims to utter affirmative responses, aiming to record them for potential circumvention of voice-based authorizations.
Scammers can effortlessly manipulate caller ID to falsely display a phone number associated with law enforcement agencies, creating the illusion of an official call. However, it’s crucial to note that legitimate police practices differ significantly from these deceptive tactics. Law enforcement agencies typically do not issue arrest warrant notifications over the phone; instead, they prefer personal visits. Furthermore, it’s important to recognize that authentic law enforcement entities never demand fine payments over the phone while issuing threats of arrest.
If you see a call appearing to be from the police on your caller ID, it’s wise to let it go to voicemail. Afterward, listen to the message carefully. To ensure there’s no urgent matter requiring your attention, it’s prudent to directly call your local police department using their non-emergency number. This approach helps confirm the legitimacy of the call and prevents falling prey to potential scams.
We firmly believe that no one is immune to falling for a scam. Regardless of someone’s socioeconomic status or level of education, they can still be targeted. Every individual is vulnerable to scams; there’s no exception.
If there was to be an exception, it should be a renowned and successful financial advice columnist. But even someone in such a position can fall prey to a scam if placed under sufficient pressure from the scammer.
It’s unfortunate but not uncommon for even those well-versed in finance to fall victim to scams. Take Charlotte Cowles, a financial advice columnist for The Cut, a division of New York Magazine, for example. Last Halloween, she received a call from someone posing as an Amazon customer service representative. They claimed she had made an $8000 purchase of Apple products, which she hadn’t. Ms. Cowles wisely checked her Amazon account, finding no such transactions. However, the scammer had a response ready, alleging that a business account was opened in her name. Despite her vigilance, Ms. Cowles was convinced her identity had been compromised.
Continuing the conversation, the fake Amazon representative exploited the situation further, claiming that the company was facing widespread issues with identity theft among its customers. To add credibility, they mentioned having a liaison within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Ms. Cowles, concerned about the apparent threat to her identity, agreed to be connected to the supposed FTC agent.
The deceptive FTC impostor already possessed personal details about Ms. Cowles, including the last four digits of her Social Security number, her home address, and her date of birth. With such sensitive information in hand, it’s understandable why a victim might be inclined to trust the fraudulent claims being made. This level of sophistication can make the scam appear legitimate and increase the victim’s susceptibility to manipulation.
In addition to the personal details already disclosed, the counterfeit FTC representative went on to fabricate a dire scenario, claiming that numerous bank accounts, vehicles, and properties were registered under Ms. Cowles’ name. Adding to the distressing narrative, they alleged that a car linked to her identity had been discovered near the Texas-Mexico border, rented in her name, and found containing illicit drugs. These false claims likely intensified Ms. Cowles’ sense of urgency and fear, further blurring the line between truth and deception.
The deceitful tactics didn’t stop there. Ms. Cowles was informed by the scammer that arrest warrants had been issued against her in multiple states, accusing her of serious crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering.
To further isolate their victim and maintain control, the fraudulent FTC agent instructed Ms. Cowles not to disclose the situation to anyone, cautioning her that anyone she confided in could potentially be a suspect in the fabricated crimes.
Despite the fraudulent claims and attempts to exploit her, Ms. Cowles was led to believe that the FTC was there to safeguard her finances. When asked how much money she would require to sustain herself for a year, she stated $50,000. Shockingly, the impostor instructed her to withdraw this amount in cash from her bank and assured her that it would be collected from her residence by a supposed CIA agent. Even during the withdrawal process, there were warnings. The bank teller, sensing something amiss, cautioned Ms. Cowles about potential scams associated with large cash withdrawals.
Under the false pretext of protecting her identity, Ms. Cowles was instructed to hand over the withdrawn cash to the supposed CIA agent, who would then allegedly provide her with a new government check issued under a new Social Security number.
As instructed, Ms. Cowles handed over the box containing the $50,000 to the driver of an SUV with tinted windows that pulled up to her residence.
Ms. Cowles’s experience highlights the profound emotional toll inflicted by falling victim to scammers. In her account, she vividly expresses the overwhelming sense of shame that washed over her upon realizing she had been deceived. This aspect is crucial because it underscores the psychological impact that financial scams can have on individuals, often extending far beyond the immediate financial loss. The shame and self-blame experienced by victims like Ms. Cowles serve as a poignant reminder of the need for compassion and support for those who have been targeted by fraudsters.
We urge you to take the time to read Ms. Cowles’s comprehensive narrative of the scam in her latest column.
Ms. Cowles’s account serves as a powerful reminder that no one is immune to the threat of scams. Regardless of our education, background, or financial status, we are all susceptible to being deceived. By sharing her experience, she highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and informed in the face of evolving tactics employed by fraudsters. Let her story be a call to action for all of us to educate ourselves, support one another, and work together to combat the scourge of scams in our communities.
We’ve consistently advised our readers that once you’ve been targeted by a scammer, the likelihood of further exploitation increases significantly. Take, for instance, falling victim to a sweepstakes scam – the scammer often concocts additional reasons for the victim to continue paying. Furthermore, scammers trade the information of their victims among themselves, leading to potential multiple scams on the same individual. In some instances, the same scammer may return with an entirely new scheme, using any means necessary to manipulate the victim’s trust, and they are doggedly persistent.
A few years ago, a Massachusetts woman found herself ensnared in the web of a romance scam. Believing she was in a genuine relationship with a man purportedly working on an overseas oil pipeline, she unwittingly sent a staggering $150,000 over time to the scammer. Although she eventually became aware of the deception, the ordeal did not conclude there.
After severing communication with the romance scammer, the victim found herself confronted with a new and alarming tactic. Months later, she began receiving emails allegedly originating from the CIA. These messages took an ominous turn, threatening her with arrest and asserting that the individual she had sent money to in the romance scam was now being labeled as a terrorist. The victim was explicitly warned against discussing the matter with anyone, including family, friends, or attorneys, under the ominous threat of immediate arrest.
When pressed to identify himself, the scammer resorted to sending the victim a picture of a novelty CIA badge and ID, easily obtainable online. The deceptive tactics persisted until the victim asserted her boundaries, insisting that any meeting with the purported agent would only take place at her local police station. It was only at this point that the relentless harassment from the scammer finally ceased.
Indeed, falling victim to a scam and suffering significant financial losses is distressing on its own. However, the added layer of enduring verbal abuse and facing threats of arrest exacerbates the trauma.
In addition to the initial romance scam, the scammer tried to ensnare the victim in another layer of deception known as the police impersonation scam. Scammers frequently adopt the guise of law enforcement officers or agents, utilizing intimidation tactics to manipulate victims into complying with their demands. A common element of this scheme involves warning victims that they are prohibited from discussing the matter with anyone, threatening arrest for non-compliance. The underlying objective is to isolate the victim, preventing them from seeking assistance or confiding in others who might recognize the scam. This calculated tactic aims to maintain control and prolong the deception without external interference.
In safeguarding against the unsettling threat of police impersonation scams, vigilance and skepticism are paramount. Authentic law enforcement agencies do not make unsolicited calls demanding immediate action or payments. Verify the legitimacy of any communication by independently contacting the supposed agency using official contact information. Never share personal or financial information over the phone unless certain of the caller’s authenticity. If faced with coercive demands and threats of arrest, remain calm and seek advice from trusted individuals or law enforcement directly. By staying informed, questioning unexpected communications, and maintaining open lines of communication with trusted contacts, individuals can fortify themselves against the manipulative tactics employed by police impersonators and other scammers.
There’s a new version of the arrest warrant scam going around in Florida that local police say is so advanced they may not ever catch the scammer. In a typical arrest warrant scam, the scammer calls their victim to tell them they have a warrant out for their arrest, but the victim can resolve the warrant by making a payment over the phone. These scammers will often spoof the phone number of the local police department to make the scam more convincing. Now, at least one scammer has virtually perfected the scam.
In this instance, the scammer is posing as a county sheriff’s office when calling their victims, including the spoofed phone number. Victims are told they have a warrant out for their arrest, which carries a $50,000 bond. But for $5000 the victim can avoid arrest and be given a court date instead. Then, their $5000 will be refunded to them.
The best scams have a kernel of truth to them, and this one is no exception. When someone is arrested, and needs to post bail, a bail bondsman will often accept 10% of the bond as payment.
However, the scammer didn’t stop there. Not only did the scammer use the name of an actual police officer from that sheriff’s department, but they also sent victims realistic looking arrest warrants. The scammer also had a police scanner playing in the background.
One potential victim, who is a former sheriff’s office employee, told the scammer to have the dispatch desk call him back. The scammer called back, spoofing the number of the dispatcher desk.
As with most police impersonation scams, a little bit of knowledge can keep you from losing money. No legitimate law enforcement agency, department, or office will ever ask for money over the phone. Police do not call people who have an arrest warrant. Instead, they will go to see the suspect in person before making an arrest.
If you ever receive a phone call like this, no matter how realistic it might sound, hang up, and call your local police department at their non-emergency number. They’ll be able to tell you if you’re being scammed.
A pair of alleged romance scammers from New Jersey have been arrested after investigators discovered their involvement in scamming an elderly Tennessee man. The pair convinced the man that he was having an online relationship with a well-known female celebrity. Then the scammers convinced the man that they were with the FBI, and the celebrity was suing the man for harassment. That’s when the scammers started demanding money from their victim.
The man was told he would need to pay fines to resolve the lawsuit. He sent the scammers a $5500 check. However, the check was made out to the FBI, meaning the scammers couldn’t cash the check. Apparently, the scammers were incensed by this because they told the man he would now have to pay $40,000 for failing to follow instructions. Before it was all over, the man paid close to $90,000 to the scammers, with him even taking out a loan on his car.
It’s unknown if the man realized he was being scammed as he took his own life last month. After his passing, the man’s family found emails related to the scam and contacted police.
We hope that our readers’ first thoughts when seeing this story aren’t “I would have never fallen for this scam.” If they were, we’d like to remind you that a man has been lost from his family due to the actions of greedy and reckless scammers. While you may not have fallen victim to this scam, there’s probably someone in your family who would. Now, imagine the heartbreak of losing them to a pointless scam like this.
While most romance scams don’t veer off into police impersonation territory, always be wary of online relationships where your supposed partner can’t meet you in person. Also, please keep in mind that no law enforcement agency will ever ask you to make payments over the phone or through email.
If you know someone who you suspect may be the target of a romance scam, please try to talk to them about such scams before they become victims.
(If you or someone you know is contemplating the unthinkable, please know that there is no shame in reaching out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is accessible 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255, and you can also visit their website for support. You can also reach the lifeline by dialing 988. This new three-digit number is designed to provide easier access to mental health support services.)
The jury duty scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers impersonate officials from the legal system, typically claiming to represent a court or law enforcement agency. The scam often begins with a phone call or email informing the targeted individual that they have failed to appear for jury duty and now face legal consequences such as fines or even arrest warrants. To resolve the supposed issue, the scammer then requests sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, financial details, or even payment for the fabricated penalties. These scams play on the fear of legal repercussions, catching victims off guard and coercing them into providing sensitive information or money to avoid fictitious consequences. If you go by the number of times this scam finds its way into headlines, it may be the most prolific scam going today.
Recently, in the Atlanta Metro Area, scammers found a victim who had recently gone through an experience which made her the perfect victim for the jury duty scam. The scammers posed as her local police and told her she had missed jury duty. In this instance, they used the name of an actual police officer from that department. They told her a warrant was about to be issued for her arrest, but she could avoid that if she just paid a $3000 fine in Bitcoin. The victim deposited the money into a Bitcoin ATM that was in a local gas station. What made the victim more vulnerable to this scam than most was the fact she had just been excused from jury duty last month, so she thought the phony charge was somehow related to that. It was more than likely a coincidence that scammers found such a victim, as scammers typically cast the widest net possible in order to find as many victims as possible.
If you receive any communication regarding jury duty, it is essential to independently verify its legitimacy. Contact your local courthouse or law enforcement agency directly using official contact information to confirm the authenticity of the message. Keep in mind that legitimate government entities do not employ aggressive tactics, issue threats, or demand immediate payments over the phone or through email. Should you suspect that you have become a target of a scam, promptly report the incident to your local law enforcement agency and the relevant authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken.
Scammers in Modesto, California, are preying upon Spanish-speaking residents by posing as clergy from the local Catholic diocese. These scammers are allegedly charging families up to $2000 for baptisms, confirmations, and first communions.
Some scam victims may be afraid to come forward due to their immigration status. However, police have urged residents to come forward by reassuring them they won’t be asked their current status.
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Police in Evanston, Illinois are warning residents there about a police impersonation scam happening in their area. According to the Evanston PD, scammers are calling residents and telling them they owe money for traffic tickets.
As with all police impersonation scams, real police will never call you and ask for money over the phone, nor will they threaten you with arrest for not paying.
If you receive a call like this, hang up, and call your local police department at their non-emergency number.
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An elderly woman from Western New York received a letter that appeared to come from Publisher’s Clearing House, telling her she won $2.6 million. Thankfully, she caught on quickly that it was a scam. The letter asked her to pay $4000 in insurance to ensure she would receive the $2.6M check.
This is known as the advance fee scam, and PCH has always been imitated in these scams. Keep in mind, it doesn’t cost anything to enter sweepstakes like this. That’s why they always say no purchase necessary.
For example, we answered that we were inquiring about identity theft regarding our tax return, and it directed us to the proper department of both the IRS and FBI to report the scam.
As we often state, the police impersonation scam that is the most common has to be the jury duty scam. Again, this is when scammers pose as the victim’s local police, even going as far as to spoof the police department’s phone number. The victim is told they missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued for the victim’s arrest. Then the scammers tell the victim they can avoid arrest if they make an immediate payment. This payment is usually made through unconventional means such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfers. A variation of this scam is when the victim is just told flat out there’s a warrant for their arrest.
Now, a report out of Wisconsin says there is yet another version of the police impersonation scam. A sheriff’s department has issued a statement saying they’ve received an alarming number of phone calls about this scam. In the latest scam, the scammers are still posing as local police, including spoofed phone numbers, but the scammers’ demand is more than unusual. Residents have said that not only are the scammers demanding a $1000 payment in gift cards, but they’re also telling residents they need to undergo a court-ordered DNA test, or they’ll be arrested.
We get why the scammers would ask for money in gift cards. That’s just what they do. However, a request for a victim’s DNA is a new one for us. We can’t imagine what the DNA would be used for, but the supposed DNA test may just be a ruse to get the victim to meet the scammer in person.
Even with this new twist on the police impersonation scam, the ways to protect yourself remain the same. No legitimate law enforcement agency, office, or department will ever call you demanding payment. They won’t threaten you over the phone with arrest if you don’t pay them immediately. If there was a warrant out for your arrest, or a court-ordered DNA test was required, the investigating officers or agents would come to you without a phone call.
If you receive one of these phone calls asking for money, or in this case your DNA, hang up and call your local police department at their non-emergency number. Not only can they advise you the call is a scam, but they can now inform the community of the scam as well.
When it comes to today’s scams, most scammers will try to take your funds electronically. Then there are those who want your cash and want it immediately. This has led some scammers to employ ‘couriers’ who will go to a victim’s home to pick up the cash. Sometimes the couriers are unwitting participants, such as rideshare drivers. Other times, they’re either working for the scammer or they’re the scammer themselves. Since scammers tend to target the elderly, it’s disturbing to think of scammers going to the home of an elderly loved one.
In Western Pennsylvania, an elderly couple were in the process of falling victim to the pop-up scam. They received a message on their computer it had been hacked, and they called the number from the message. The couple was told their bank accounts were compromised, and they needed to withdraw their money from the bank. A federal agent would come by to pick up the money to have it ‘cleaned’, before they would get their money back.
The federal agent was actually a 22-year-old student from Penn State. When he showed up at the couple’s home, they did not believe he was a federal agent and asked to see some ID. The student was unable to produce any identification, so the couple did not give him any of their money and called police. The student was arrested shortly after the encounter.
While most victims of these scams are physically unharmed, there is a possibility of danger. Not every scammer or ‘courier’ is going to accept walking away empty-handed.
For whatever reason scammers may claim, no legitimate law enforcement officer or agent will come to your home to protect your money. If that’s what they’re telling you, they are trying to scam you.
If you receive a message on your computer telling you it’s been hacked, the odds are it hasn’t been hacked at all. If you can’t close out the message, try doing a hard rest on your device by holding down the power button until it shuts off. If the message continues to appear, run a malware scan on your device.
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