Community alert - scams

Hi All,

DI Michael Cody wants everyone to be aware of the following scams that occurred in the 104th Precinct.

1. Yesterday, a 63-year old male on 57th Drive in Maspeth received a telephone call from someone claiming to be from Con Ed.  The caller stated that if he didn't pay immediately, his electricity would be turned off.  The caller instructed him to go to a local CVS and purchase a "Pay Pal" card (similar to the Green Dot card that we alerted you about in a previous Alert) for $576.  He was told to call the scammer back with the PIN # to activate the card.  Needless to say, the victim is out $576.
2. A second incident occurred recently in Glendale.  An 89-year old woman received a call allegedly from someone in the US Embassy in Mexico.  The caller told the victim that her grandson was in trouble and needed $1,500 wired to him.  She received a second call saying he needed an additional $3,000 for legal fees.  This victim is out $4,500.

• Scammers are good at what they do and catch you off-guard.  Don't fall for it!  They move from one community to another.
• NO utility company will turn your service off without adequate warning, and Con Ed and other utilities may not take "Pay Pal" or "Green Dot" credit cards.  Always check with your utility company to verify any call that someone made asking you for money.
• Even if you receive an "urgent" call from a stranger about a family member, verify it before you send money.  This scam has been around for quite a while.
• At our Comet meeting on Monday, Captain Santana, 110th Precinct, alerted us to a scam involving a supposed "healer" who conned an Asian woman out of a lot of money.
• There is a strong possibility that scammers are targeting seniors who are unaware of these con games.  Please pass the word, especially to senior citizens who are easy targets.
• If ANYONE asks you for money, for ANY reason, think twice and check it out first!
• If you have been a victim,  don't be embarrassed, file a police report so our precincts know what's going on.
• Please pass this on to friends, family, neighbors.

Don't forget to VOTE today if your area has a Primary and you are registered with a party!!