EPD ALERT – PHONE AND MAIL SCAMS TARGETING ELDERLY POPULATION
The Eastchester Police Department would like to inform you of 3 (mail and phone) scams that are
targeting the elderly population within our county and nationwide. Please review the elements of these
three particularly deceptive scams and share them with your family, friends, and neighbors (especially
those within the elderly or vulnerable populations).
Scenario #1: Lotto/ Lottery mail Scams
The details of the scam change slightly from scam to scam, but the end is always the same. The victim
receives an official looking letter in the mail
stating that they are a winner of an international powerball or similar lotto. The victim is told they are
entitled to a large sum of
money. Attached to the letter is a check for a percentage of the winnings. It is explained that this check is
deducted from their total
winnings. This check is meant to be used to pay the taxes on the winnings, and that the winner must pay
this directly to the tax agent.
The letter goes on to state that before you use the check you must contact the claim agent at a phone
number that is typically an overseas number.
This is when the scam takes place. The victim contacts the number and they are directed to deposit the
check and to forward a “money
gram” or other untraceable payment to the suspected tax agent. The victim complies (sends a money order
or Western Union payment) and after a few days is notified by the bank that the check that they received
and deposited in their account is no good. By this time they have already sent money overseas and are at a
loss.
Scenario #2/#3: Relative (grandson / granddaughter) arrested or in car accident outside of country
– needs $
Again, the details may change slightly. The victim receives a call from an individual claiming to be their
relative and using the name of an actual relative; e.g. , “Hello Grandma, this is Joey, I’m in trouble in
Canada/Mexico/etc…and need some money. Please don’t tell my parents. I’ll pay you back as soon as I
get home.” Although you would believe that the voice would trigger the victim to abandon the call, many
times the victim believes that it sounds like their relative. Another scenario unfolds as follows: Victims
are receiving calls from a person claiming to be a grandchild who has been involved in a traffic accident
in Canada. The “grandson” or “granddaughter” explains that he or she does not have insurance on his car
and needs several thousand dollars – either to pay for repairs to his own car or to pay for the damage that
was done to another vehicle. “Victims are typically instructed to visit their local Wal-Mart store and send
a MoneyGram wire-transfer for several thousand dollars to a store in Canada,” If the money is transferred,
the victims often receive a ‘thank you’ call from their ‘grandson,’ followed by a request to send more
money to pay for additional repairs, fines or travel expenses.”
The Eastchester Police Department recommends that any person in receipt of suspicious mail that is “too
good to be true” or a suspect phone call should consult a trusted family member/friend or contact the
police department to report it immediately and PRIOR to making any financial transfer of funds.