East Rockaway Scam Alert Flyer

East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano and the Village Trustees Warn Residents

"All too often, thieves pick up the phone and call people up - often senior citizens, but not always - and say that our neighbors owe money to a business or the IRS. They threaten larger fines, getting arrested or even jail time. It's a scam that scares people into forked over their hard earned money. Always ask questions and always ask for claims mailed to you in writing. Don't fall for these scams hook, line and sinker," said East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano.

WARNING - SCAM ALERT!

BE AWARE OF THESE SCAMS!

If you can spot a scam, and know how to avoid it, you and your money are more likely to stay together.

Below is a list of common scams that have targeted senior citizens:

Phone Call or Email Asking For Bail
The request comes as phone call or from a friend or loved one's email address to wire money claiming to be in another country and requesting a large sum of money for a plane ticket, bail money, or other emergency expenses. In reality, a scammer has obtained control of the sender's email account and contact list/address book, and the victim sends the money directly to the scammer.

Sweepstakes Scam
The victim receives a letter stating that they've won a contest, often from a scammer using a variation of a legitimate organization's name. Enclosed is a check, usually less than $5,000, drawn on an out-of-state bank account. The victim is instructed to call a phone number where they are instructed to deposit the check, saying the money is to pay the taxes on their prize. The victim sends the money to the scammer.

Phishing Scam
An email or phone call is received by the victim who is led to believe it came from their bank. The call or email asks for the victim to verify personal information such as Social Security number and account numbers. A legitimate bank will NEVER ask for this information.

Jury Duty Scam
Victims are contacted by phone by a caller claiming to be an officer of the court. The "officer" says the victim failed to show up for jury duty and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Once the victim says that they never received a jury duty notice, the caller will ask for personal information to verify. The jury duty scam is on the rise.

IRS Payment Scam

Please beware of any call you receive from someone saying they are from the IRS. Scammers will try to trick you into sharing private information, and often alter the caller ID so it looks like the call is coming from the IRS office in Washington. They will often threaten to bring in the police or foreclose on your home if you don't cooperate. The IRS will never employ any of these tactics. They have formal procedures in place to resolve tax issues and never resort to "shake-downs".

Remember:

• Ask Questions - If someone calls claiming to be a family member in distress and asks for money, confirm the details they give you with another family member. Additionally, ask the caller questions a stranger couldn't possibly answer.
• Do Not Give Out Your Personal Information - Never give out personal information such as social security number, bank accounts, or credit card numbers via the phone or internet unless you are certain of who you're dealing with.
• Do Not Pay Anything for a "Free" Prize - Be suspicious of anyone asking you to pay money in return for something. Scammers often ask for a "small fee" to recover a larger sum of money, or to redeem a prize.
• Guard Your Medical Information - Only give your medical insurance information to those who have provided you with medical services.
• Don't Send Money to Someone You Don't Know - That includes an online merchant you've never heard of or an online love interest who asks for money or favors. It's best to do business with sites you know and trust. If you buy items online, consider a payment option that provides protection, like a credit card. Don't send cash or use a wire transfer service.
• The IRS Will Not Call You! All communication with the Internal Revenue Service is done by U.S. mail. The IRS will never ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. The IRS will never threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or have been contacted by a scammer, call:

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here's what to do: Report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 or online at www.tigta.gov.

Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)