The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
A terrifying look at a “known scam” and what you can do to protect yourself
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, Glen Rock In a shocking case of financial fraud, a Bergen County resident recently lost a staggering $35,000 to scammers who impersonated federal agents. The incident, reported by police in Glen Rock, serves as a powerful warning about a “known scam” that continues to target unsuspecting individuals.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood Police department, No, you probably don’t have a warrant out for your arrest. If you do, the Ridgewood Police promise that a member of the Police Department isn’t calling you demanding money in lieu of an arrest.
Continue reading No, the Ridgewood Police Do Not Call Demanding Money
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK NJ, Sheriff Anthony Cureton would like to make the public aware of an ongoing phone scam where perpetrators are pretending to impersonate personnel from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. The scam attempts to extort money in the form of wire transfer, cash, and prepaid gift cards from potential victims, threatening them with arrest for “failing to report to jury duty” or “failing to appear for an outstanding summons.”
Continue reading Bergen Sheriff Issues Warning About Ongoing Phone Scam
the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Wyckoff NJ, O&R cautions customers to beware of an increase of scam calls today. The scammer is making an O&R phone number show up on the customer’s caller ID screen and instructing the customer to pay their bill or their service will be shut off within the hour. Don’t fall for it:
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, If you receive a call from a #PSEG number asking you to pay a past due balance in cash, schedule a meter reading, accept a bill reduction and/or asking for personal information – hang up. These calls are NOT being made by us but by scammers. For info on scams and frauds visit https://spr.ly/6186EFuay To reach customer service, please call 1-800-436-7734
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Twp.of Washington NJ, Twp of Washington Fire Deptartment issues a “Scam Alert”.
The Twp of Washington Fire Department has been notified that residents of the Twp of Washington have received phone calls from someone saying that they are a member of the Fire Department and trying to solicit money.
The Fire Department does NOT use this type of fundraising tactic. If you feel that the phone call is a scam please contact the Twp of Washington Police Dept. @ 201-664-1140
Dear Friend,
Have you ever received a call and it rings once and the other person hangs up? Well, it can be a scam. I would like to share with you some information from the Federal Communications Commission on how to handle the “one-ring” phone scam.
Continue reading Consumer Alert: One Ring’ Phone Scam
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Madison NJ, this has been reported by the Police in Madison New Jersey . They are warning about a phone scam that has recently targeted some local residents.
According to Police, residents should be an the alert for the “One Ring Phone Scam” where automated phone numbers intentionally ringing one time, repeatedly, and frequently at random intervals.
Continue reading “One Ring Phone Scam” Hits New Jersey
Glen Rock Police Department – NJ1
rthe staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, from the Glen Rock Police department ; We received word that the Hawthorne Police Dept has received many telephone calls at their Police Headquarters reporting that residents are receiving calls from people claiming to be from Social Security, stating there is a problem with thier accounts and they need to contact SS Office, or a Police Officer will call them. This is a SCAM, Social Security is not calling asking for info.
Never provide INFO, please advise friends, family and neighbors especially the elderly as they may be easy target.
NEVER PROVIDE INFO OR SEND OUT CASH CARDS
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, If you receive a phone call claiming to be from Apple warning of an iCloud breach, beware: It’s a trick and another in a series of “Tech Support Scams” .Telephone scammers are cold-calling people, claiming that iCloud, Apple’s cloud service, has been hacked, and asking them to give up their accounts details. In theory, phone scammers can’t do anything if you don’t give them your details or do what they say. But if you’ve reused the same password multiple times, then anyone might be able to gain access to your account.
Continue reading The call from “Apple” about an iCloud breach is the Newest Phone Scam
SCAM ALERT!
November 24,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackemsack NJ, The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has been receiving reports of an attempted criminal scam where people are being contacted via telephone by someone claiming to be a member of our agency asking for money to satisfy a warrant for contempt of a Grand Jury appearance. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office DOES NOT ask for money over the phone. Do not give anyone claiming to be a member of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office any payment over the phone
IRS Warns of New Phone Scam Involving Bogus Certified Letters; Reminds People to Remain Vigilant Against Scams, Schemes this Summer
IR-2017-107, June 15, 2017
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today warned people to beware of a new scam linked to the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), where fraudsters call to demand an immediate tax payment through a prepaid debit card. This scam is being reported across the country, so taxpayers should be alert to the details.
In the latest twist, the scammer claims to be from the IRS and tells the victim about two certified letters purportedly sent to the taxpayer in the mail but returned as undeliverable. The scam artist then threatens arrest if a payment is not made through a prepaid debit card. The scammer also tells the victim that the card is linked to the EFTPS system when, in fact, it is entirely controlled by the scammer. The victim is also warned not to contact their tax preparer, an attorney or their local IRS office until after the tax payment is made.
“This is a new twist to an old scam,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Just because tax season is over, scams and schemes do not take the summer off. People should stay vigilant against IRS impersonation scams. People should remember that the first contact they receive from IRS will not be through a random, threatening phone call.”
EFTPS is an automated system for paying federal taxes electronically using the Internet or by phone using the EFTPS Voice Response System. EFTPS is offered free by the U.S. Department of Treasury and does not require the purchase of a prepaid debit card. Since EFTPS is an automated system, taxpayers won’t receive a call from the IRS. In addition, taxpayers have several options for paying a real tax bill and are not required to use a specific one.
Tell Tale Signs of a Scam:
The IRS (and its authorized private collection agencies) will never:
Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. All tax payments should only be made payable to the U.S. Treasury and checks should never be made payable to third parties.
Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
For anyone who doesn’t owe taxes and has no reason to think they do:
Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page. Alternatively, call 800-366-4484.
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the FTC Complaint Assistant on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
For anyone who owes tax or thinks they do:
View your tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount you owe. You can then also review your payment options.
Call the number on the billing notice, or
Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help.
The IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. For more information, visit the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax scams is available on IRS social media sites, including YouTube videos.
May 20,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that Ridgewood Residents have reported being the target of a telephone kidnap scam. The scam works by a caller claiming a relative has been kidnapped and not to contact anyone because they are being watched. The caller then demands money in a threatening manner. This is a widely used phone scam called the virtual kidnap scam according to the FBI and has been reported nationwide over the past several years. Don’t become the victim of a scam. Report suspicious activity the Ridgewood Police Department.
