New phone scam warrants new protocols

You get a call from someone claiming to be from any government agency, such as the police, FBI, or IRS, asking for your social security or money.

Is it real?

As if the coronavirus outbreak wasn’t stressful enough, con artists have been exploiting the pandemic to extract money from unsuspecting victims. In just the first six months of 2020, the Federal Trade Commission recorded over 78,000 fraud complaints related to the pandemic with losses of more than $97 million.

Recently, a resident got a phone call from someone claiming to be from the FBI. The caller informed the resident that they were under investigation for money laundering and drug trafficking.

The hoax can come from emails, texts, phone calls, digital ads, and mail. These requested funds can be for bogus charities, lottery winners, or phony COVID-19 test kits.

Deputy Chief Mike Klunk of Huntley Police said, “The suspect instructed the victim to go to the bank and withdraw all of her funds, due to her social security number allegedly being compromised, and other bank accounts being opened in her name. Bank employees aware of the victim’s circumstances, became suspicious and contacted the Huntley Police Department to meet with the victim.”

The victim’s bank suggested to withdraw all of her funds since her social security number had been allegedly compromised.

While the customer was in her bank, she received a call displayed as the Huntley Police phone number, but it wasn’t the Huntley Police.

Callers will often “spoof,” or fake their phone numbers so the calls appear to be coming from a local police station or federal law enforcement office on the recipient’s caller ID.

Klunk said, “The on-scene officer answered the call and identified himself, at which time the suspect hung up. The victim did not release any personal identification or funds to the suspect.”

Another resident received a letter with a real looking check with even a watermark for over $7000 from Publisher’s Clearing House.

What’s the catch?

Even though the check is fake, if you deposit the check, the money may be available to you for a short time. But just because you can withdraw the money doesn’t mean the check is good. It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and the check to bounce. They hope that if you believe the check is real, you’ll be willing to send them money back for whatever fees need to be paid.

A press Release from the Huntley Police Department stated, “Residents are reminded to be aware of such scams in which funds are being requested to be withdrawn. No legitimate law enforcement agency will require funds to be transferred, or moved via a telephone conversation. Anytime unsolicited financial or personal information is requested, always seek assistance from a reputable known contact to investigate the matter.”

If you suspect a scam, report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: 1-866-720-5721 or Justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm.

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