Scam alert webstock
Upper Darby Township police in a recent memo to residents of the sixth-most-populous municipality in the state had this guidance, since the township is seeing numerous attempts by callers to coerce or smooth talk residents out of money.
Some of the scams include impersonating police with software that shows the call is coming from the police station.
The guidance:
Caller impersonation: Scammers may pose as representatives from reputable organizations such as banks, government agencies, or utility companies. They will use sophisticated techniques to convince you that their call is legitimate.
Urgent and threatening tone: Scammers often employ high-pressure tactics, claiming that there is a critical issue with your account, unpaid bills, or legal consequences if immediate action is not taken.
Personal information request: These fraudsters will ask for sensitive personal information, including social security numbers, bank account details, or passwords. Remember, legitimate organizations will never ask you to provide such information over the phone.
Payment demands: Scammers may demand immediate payment through wire transfers, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency, insisting that it is necessary to resolve the supposed issue. They may even threaten legal action or arrest if payment is not made promptly.
To protect yourself and your finances, we urge you to take the following precautions:
Stay calm and skeptical: If you receive a call that seems suspicious, remain calm and question the caller’s identity. Do not provide any personal information or payment details.
Verify caller identity: Ask for the caller’s name, organization, and contact information. Hang up and independently research the given details. Use official sources, such as the organization’s website or publicly available phone numbers, to reach out and confirm the authenticity of the call.
Do not share personal information: Never disclose sensitive information like social security numbers, bank account details, or passwords over the phone unless you have initiated the call and are confident about the recipient’s identity.
Be wary of urgency and threats: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to catch you off guard. Remember, reputable organizations will provide ample time to address any issues and will never threaten immediate consequences.
The police calling? No
The Upper Darby Township Police Department received a report from a resident that stated callers contacted them claiming to be members of our police department or another law enforcement agency.
The caller spoofed the police department’s phone number, which appeared on the resident’s caller ID.
Police remind you to be aware that:
• The Upper Darby Police Department does not call individuals and demand or request money from community members under any circumstances.
• The Upper Darby Police Department or any other legitimate law enforcement agency does not call community members seeking payment for outstanding traffic citations or warrants.
• If you encounter a phone scam or believe you have been targeted, report the incident to the Upper Darby Police Department by calling 911.
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