Police Issue Warning About Phone Scams

In response to multiple incidents involving Phone Scams, the Scarsdale Police has issued the following:

Warning to the Public Regarding Incidents of Telephone Fraud

Recently there has been an increase in incidents occurring over the telephone, where the caller attempts to fraudulently obtain money from victims using several different "phone scams". The Scarsdale Police Department wants to alert residents to these fraudulent scams, to prevent people from becoming victimized.

"Grandchild In Jail" ‐ In this scam, the caller will claim to be a friend or relative that got into trouble or was involved in an accident in another country (often Mexico, Canada or one of the Caribbean Islands) and needs money to get out of jail. In some cases the scammer will tell the victim they are a police officer and their grandchild has been arrested and needs to have money sent to them for bail. The scammer will require that a Western Union MoneyGram be sent or Green Dot Card Money Card be purchased and the card number provided to them.

"IRS Tax Warrant" – In this scam, the caller will claim to be an agent or police officer from the Internal Revenue Service calling about a past due tax balance that is owed. The caller will tell the victim that unless the debt is paid immediately, they will send a team to the victims home to immediately arrest them. They scammer will also request that the "tax debt" be paid with a Western Union MoneyGram or Green Dot Card Money Card.

"Jury Duty Warrant" In this scam, the caller will claim to be a police officer or a warrant officer from Westchester County or New York State claiming to have a warrant for the victim for failing to report for jury duty. The scammer will also claim that unless a fine is immediately paid, the police will be sent to the victims home to arrest them. The scammer will demand that the fine be paid using a Western Union MoneyGram or Green Dot Card Money Card.

The public should be aware that all of the above telephone scams have been occurring frequently, and that the scammers are very good at frightening their victims into compliance. No government agency will ever ask you to pay a fine using a Western Union Money Gram or Green Dot Money Card. Should you receive any of these types of calls, advise the caller you are notifying your local police department and hang up. Never respond to any telephone or Internet request for money without first speaking to a trusted friend, relative or your local police department.