Police advice on scams

Telephone and Internet scams target the elderly in our community each year. Recently, a few cases of attempted and successful deceptions, particularly those targeting senior citizens, have been reported.

Consumer education and preventive information is a high priority for the Palmer Police Department. Those who serve and protect in Palmer want all residents to be safe and offer continuing education for potentially vulnerable groups, such as the elderly community.

Several important tips and defensive awareness strategies are provided below, from those who deal with both perpetrators and victims.

Elderly scams take on a variety of forms, but many have common components. A typical scam involves a plea for help from someone claiming to be a relative, sometimes a military service member or possibly a child. The scammer often claims to have been injured, stranded or arrested, and then requests that money be sent to a physical location or transferred to an account.

Recently, a local retired couple took a call that illustrates some typical components of a telephone scam. The caller stated:

• I’ve been arrested for DUI;

• I was in a wreck, that’s why my voice sounds odd;

• Please send my attorney $10,000 in cash, rolled inside a magazine and shipped via Fed Ex to an out of state location.

Receiving an announcement that a prize was won from a contest, which was never entered, is another common ploy.

Such a call should immediately arouse suspicion, and it is very appropriate to report the matter to a local law enforcement agency. If a call like this is received, noting the following will assist authorities in investigating the case:

• The date and time the call was placed.

• The number of the caller. (Caller ID can be of value, but often these calls are from blocked numbers)

• Specific details about where the caller requested the money be sent or other details that might aid in identifying the location of the scammer.

Internet scams following a similar pattern are more common than telephonic versions since the scammer does not have to actually speak to the intended victim. They can also send out many more emails than they can make phone calls. To raise awareness of this problem and help people protect themselves, the Palmer Police Department offers the following scam safety tips.

• Never give out personal information such as name, date of birth, social security number or address to unknown callers.

• Do not release bank account numbers or send funds by any means to unknown persons claiming to be in need of financial assistance.

• Scammers often attempt to make their intended victims feel guilty or pressure them. Do not allow the caller to intimidate or otherwise coerce anyone into a decision they feel uncomfortable with.

• Report suspicious calls or email to local law enforcement.

Awareness of these schemes is most important in preventing them. Use common sense and apply the old adage that’s says if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Palmer Police Department is available to help and encourages prompt reporting of any suspicious activity. This will help prevent further criminal activity.

Cmdr. Lance Ketterling is second-in-command of the Palmer Police Department.