Scam Alert from the MPD 1st Precinct

Via a December 26 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Police Dept. 1st Precinct:

Periodically, we get calls and/or reports of suspected scam activity or a theft by swindle.

Additionally, we get reports, often after the fact, of individuals soliciting fraudulent funds from well-meaning people. Many times, using youth as a “prop”.

Scams happen frequently this time of year and often in the busy skyways downtown.

PLEASE BE AWARE

Two of the primary ways people are relieved of their money are through direct face to face contact and electronic calls/emails.

Face to face contact is a more elaborate form of panhandling for an immediate cash gain.

Many panhandling type solicitors will approach busy people as they move along the street or skyway, or may door-knock, asking for donations to phony youth sports teams, to support a charity or request assistance for a benefit fundraiser. This is a common scam.

All will have a very good, convincing and sometimes tragic story and many will have phony paperwork to support their mission. The goal is to take your hard-earned money. If you feel compelled to give, ask for organization information and donate through the proper channels and not to individual Pal-pal type accounts. Do your research. Legitimate organizations (like the bell ringers) will gladly supply the information you request and will have other avenues in place for you to contribute to their cause.   The others are there to only make money by your immediate, emotional response to help and most likely only benefits that one individual.

The other known scams are through phone calls or email and are either after your personal financial information or access to gift card numbers.

Phone/email scams have two main goals. One is you must make a payment by providing a credit/debit card number or bank account number. Typically, these payment methods are different from your normal payment method. They may also request that you buy gift cards and then submit the gift card numbers to rectify your “arrears”. The other is for you to give up a piece of information: a password, PIN, date of birth, social security number, account number or a device number - like a serial or registration number from your computer or phone.

If you receive a phone call NEVER assume the caller ID is correct.

Scammers use a variety of tactics and they will create a sense of urgency.

They may ask you to help someone in need or claim one of your loved ones is hurt or in jail; often impersonating a relative to generate an “emergency”.

A scammer may offer an incentive or something of value in return for your personal information (you send us this and we will give you this). There will be a message of insistence or that the offer is good for a limited time. If it seems like a good deal, inevitably, it is not.

Scammers will impersonate government agencies (IRS, Police or SSA). They may say your taxes are past due, you have outstanding unpaid violations or your Social Security number has been compromised. For example, they will threaten that you will lose your utility service if you don’t act now or that an arrest warrant has been issued if you don’t pay. The IRS, Police or SSA will not call you, will not ask you to pay over the phone and along with utility providers, they DO NOT accept gift cards as a form of payment. NEVER WIRE MONEY to someone you don’t know.

They will also frequently reference computer vulnerabilities by saying, “your device needs new software”, or “your computer has a virus” many times referencing Microsoft or Apple.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up or delete the email without opening it. Do not give out any information. Do not make any payments or give out your banking information. If you receive a voice message, don’t return the call. If you have doubts, contact the company you have a business relationship with, directly. Get the company’s contact information from a separate source (off a billing statement or the back of your card. Don’t use any number or email given to you by the caller.

Remember these scams are to evoke a physical or emotional reaction from you. Some will attempt to instill fear or to catch you unaware, others will play on your caring, emotional sense of wanting to help. Many will pressure you to act quickly. Stop a minute and think logically. Remain calm. Take a breath. Ask yourself and the caller questions. Make donations only through reputable charities. If you have given any financial information out, contact credit monitoring and your financial institutions immediately.

REPORT. Whether you are approached and asked for money by someone representing what seems like a fake organization and their activity raises your suspicion or you have been a victim of a swindle; PLEASE report it to Law Enforcement by calling 911.

A scam is theft – do not become the next victim

For questions, contact:

Renee Allen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
renee.allen@minneapolismn.gov
(612) 673-5163