BPD, in a post to its Facebook page, said the “holiday season brings with it a time when scam artists prey on unwitting – often elderly – victims.”
“Some of the schemes to defraud include phoning elderly citizens and telling them their grandchild is in jail and needs to be bailed out. Other schemes involve a smooth-talking caller convincing a victim to withdraw a large amount of cash from the bank, so one of their personnel can examine it to make sure it is not counterfeit. In this season of giving, beware of calls asking for donations to a charity that doesn’t exist,” the police department post continued.
BPD says no legitimate police department, public service, business or bank will ask someone to withdraw cash and turn it over to them – for any reason.
“The best advice is to trust and verify who you are conducting business with, and do not give out personal information or account numbers over the telephone. When in doubt, call your local police department for assistance.”
New York State Police say several people have reported to them that they’ve received calls from someone claiming to be NYSP — from what appeared to be a State Police phone number.
“These calls have been made in an attempt to ‘phish’ personal information or solicit money. The number displayed during these calls on their caller ID is (518) 897-2000, a number for State Police in Ray Brook, NY. The calls ARE NOT originating from SP Ray Brook.”
Anyone who receives a call like this is asked to contact the New York State Police at (518) 873-2750.
The New York State Police advise state residents that neither the State Police , nor any agency authorized by it, ever solicits donations from the general public.
The New York State Police receives its funding through the State Budget and does not solicit public donations. The only organization authorized to accept donations on behalf of the New York State Police is the not-for-profit Trooper Foundation, Inc., headquartered in Latham, NY. Although the Trooper Foundation does accept donations for the State Police Summer Program (to benefit underprivileged children) and other State Police initiatives, it does not engage in telephone solicitations to the general public.
NYSP suggests people should be wary of solicitors who:
- Do not provide an address or phone number;
- Demand immediate payment or payment in cash;
- Seem vague as to how contributions will be spent;
- Refuse to provide financial information about a charitable organization;
- Appear angry or impatient when asked reasonable questions about the organization they represent or the programs for which contributions will be used.
The NYSP phishing incidents are under investigation.
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