Police Department - Scams & Frauds
This page is dedicated to information regarding various scams, frauds, and confidence types of crimes.
Scams and frauds committed against unsuspecting people have been going on for a long time. Some of the scams that occur today have roots that date back decades and in some cases centuries.
Today, many scams are computer driven, although mail and telephone contacts are still very popular. Among the hottest types of scams currently are lottery or sweepstakes which tell you that you have won money. They ask for money up front to cover taxes or expenses. Many times they ask you to call a confirmation number. This usually is a toll call that charges several dollars per minute, charged to your telephone.
Another hot scam is where a person is auctioning an item, usually a vehicle, on one of the popular auction sites. A buyer responds and an agreement is made to purchase the car for a specified amount. The buyer wants to send a check that is already been made for an amount much higher than the sale price. The buyer tells the seller to cash the check, take some extra cash for the trouble, and send him a refund. That would come from the seller's own bank account, of course. The buyer sends the check, and the seller deposits it into his account. He then writes the seller a check for the balance. By the time the seller finds out the buyers check was a forgery, it is too late and the seller is out money.
There are almost endless possibilities in which to scam good, honest people out of their hard earned cash. But, as the old saying goes, if it is too good to be true...it probably is.
Below is a link to one of the most extensive sites I have been able to find. It covers a very large number of scams and frauds. Les Henderson has done enormous amounts of work to put this site together. It also has some first hand accounts from people that have had encounters with those that have relieved them of some of their money.
If you have been a victim of identity theft, you should check your credit or put a watch on your credit activity through the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.
Chief Donald F. Pussehl Jr
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