Detective Michael Mrotz August 2022
• IRS- Internal Revenue Service • Phone calls/ Automated messages? ▫ Very common during tax season • IRS will NOT call you, email you or send you messages via social media ▫ They will send a letter • Do not give personal information to anyone over the phone that claims to work for the IRS (if you get a call) • Do not call back anyone claiming to work for the IRS • More information can be found at www.irs.gov Common Scams
• SSN- Social Security Scam ▫ Phone calls/automated messages ▫ SSN linked to criminal activity and suspended ▫ They ask you to confirm number to reactivate • Social security does not block or suspend numbers, ever • Warning Sign- a call or email threatens consequences, such as arrests or loss of benefits if you do not provide a payment or personalScamsinformation.Continued
• Do’s and Don’ts ▫ Do: Hang up if someone calls you out of the blue and claims to be from SSA ▫ Don’t: Call a phone number left on your voice mail by a robocaller ▫ Do: be skeptical if a person claims to be an “officer with the inspector General of Social Security” ▫ Don’t: Give your SSN or personal information to someone who contacts you via email. SSA never requests information that way SSN Scams Continued
• Applying for jobs online and submitting resumes (Linkedin, Indeed, Careerbuilder, etc.) ▫ An “employer” reaches out and conducts interview via skype or phone interview. ▫ Person is informed they are hired and will be mailed a check to “purchase material/supplies” for their position. ▫ Instructed to deposit check into personal account. Then write a check, cashier check, etc payable to “…” and deposit into a separate account. Employment Scams
• “Employer” provides a name and account information for the new account to deposit into. • Original check that was mailed was fraudulent/fictitious, therefore the subject is at a loss. • Do not deposit a check that is mailed to you from an alleged employer. You will not be fronted money to purchase any supplies/first paycheck Continued
• Too good to be true? Most likely • Do not provide personal information/bank information • Interview may appear legitimate, but it is a scam for money Scams continued
• Government entity/Unknown subject claiming a family member of yours is detained or arrested. • Demanding or asking for money to bail them out or to release them • Instructs victim to purchase Google play gift cards, home depot gift cards, Green Dot gift cards, various other gift cards, or wire money • Provide pin number on back of card and give it to subject over the phone Family member Arrested/Detained?
• *People cannot be bailed out of jail with gift cards. Gift Cards not an acceptable form of payment. • Unknown suspects ask leading questions to gather information to make you believe it is your family member/friend • Call actual family member in question or other family to confirm their whereabouts or if they are Familyok scams
• Counterfeit Bills • Fraudulent Checks • Mail theft- Drop mail off inside of post office • Rental Property scams • Phishing email scams • Identity Theft • Home loan scams • Charity Scams • Craigslist/Offer Up Scams Other Scams/Topics to be Mindful of
• Monitor your credit/banks statements often for any suspicious activity • Scammers instill fear or panic by threatening arrest if you don’t do what they ask • Call the police (non-emergent line) if you have a question or need guidance regarding a potential scam • Ask questions and do research- it can potentially scare off scammers Helpful Tips
• Common types of scams: Fake emails (phishing), text messages (smishing), Voice calls (vishing), letters or someone that shows up at your front door unexpectedly. ▫ Pressured to send money ▫ Threatened with law enforcement action ▫ Told to purchase gift cards and provide codes as form of payment Know the Red Flags
▫ Tempted to buy products online that seem too good to be true or are hard to find ▫ Asked to cash a check for a stranger or send money via wire transfer or Zelle ▫ Asked to deposit a check that overpays for something you’re selling, and then send the difference elsewhere ▫ If you provide your information or send money to a scammer there is often little we can do to help get your money back Red Flags continued
• Don’t send gift cards as payment • Don’t cash checks for strangers or return funds for overpayment • Don’t click on unsolicited links or attachments sent via email or text • Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer • Don’t wire money without verifying instructions • Don’t feel pressured to act immediately Prevention
• www.IC3.gov (Internet Fraud, Internet Crime Complaint Center) • www.equifax.com • www.experian.com • www.transunion.com • www.irs.gov • www.ssa.gov • Helpfulwww.uscurrency.govwebsites/Resources
• Downey Police Department ▫ 562-861-0771 ▫ Detective Mrotz’ desk number ▫ 562-904-2328 ▫ Email: Contactmmrotz@downeyca.orginformation
Crime Prevention Survey In order to tailor the Business Watch Program to suit our business community’s needs, we’d like to hear from you! Click link to fill out Crime Prevention Survey and submit online
Business Watch Webpage Business Watch Web page will house all information presented at each Business Watch Quarterly Seminar as well as other resources
Business Watch Handbook This handbook has been designed to assist you, the business owner, in learning crime prevention techniques to reduce opportunities for crime in your business. Every facet of crime prevention, from burglary to stolen credit cards, is contained in a separate section for quick, easy Atreference.theend of each section, there are preventive tips which may be reproduced for use in training your employees. Click link for Business Watch Handbook
Important Contacts
