SCAM ALERT!

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD.

The Alameda Police Department urges residents to be aware of all phone and/or internet requests for money, especially when asked to send money via a wire transfer service. Recently several Alameda residents have received calls from individuals posing as police officers, or as court officials, demanding money. Individuals are told to pay a specified amount or else face being arrested. Keep this in mind- THE POLICE WILL NEVER CALL ON THE PHONE TO ASK YOU FOR MONEY.

In fraud cases, the suspect will often give specific instructions as to the location where you should send the money from. This is a red flag and should be investigated before money is sent.

There are also those requests for your personal information from individuals posing as the IRS, or as your bank or your credit card company. As a general rule, you should not provide any personal identifying information to a company or organization over the phone.
Seniors often fall victim to these scams because their heart strings are pulled by the predators. They may provide the names of friends or family members, leading the victim to believe the call is a legitimate request for money. PLEASE pass this information along to family members, friends and neighbors, particularly those who may not have internet access and may not be aware of this growing trend.

The sad and unfortunate truth about these schemes is that once the money is sent, it is almost impossible to recover the loss.

If you receive a request for money, you should take the time to verify the information with a trusted friend or family member BEFORE sending money. Here are a few warning signs that you may be getting looped into one of these schemes:

• The caller is warning you to act now or you will miss out on an opportunity
• You are being asked to pay up-front fees or taxes for a gift or a prize
• The caller assures you there is NO need to verify the information with anyone.

As a general rule:
• Do not send money to someone you do not know
• Do not give out personal information (social security number, date of birth, etc.) over the phone
• Be leery of all requests or transactions where you are asked to send money via a wire transfer service.

If you think the offer is too good to be true, it probably is. If you have received one of these requests and need advice, please contact the COPPS Unit for assistance at 510/337-8305.