
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, Would you be embarrassed if your internet browsing history were made public? Scammers are banking on that fear. According to Glen Rock police, fraudsters are targeting residents with threats to reveal their online activity unless they pay up.
New Email Scam Targets Glen Rock Residents
Over the weekend, two Glen Rock residents reported receiving extortion emails demanding payment to keep their internet browser history private.
- Saturday Incident: A resident received an email demanding $2,000 to prevent their browsing history from being disclosed. The resident ignored the email and did not lose money.
- Sunday Incident: Another resident received a similar email, this time requesting payment via Bitcoin. Like the first victim, they did not respond or lose money.
How the Scam Works
These scams are often automated and target victims using personal information obtained from the dark web. Scammers may:
- Include personal details, such as your email or even a photo of your home, to appear credible.
- Threaten to expose sensitive information unless payment is made, typically via Bitcoin.
Glen Rock Police Advice: Don’t Engage
Authorities have issued clear guidance for residents:
- Ignore the Emails: Do not reply or provide any personal information, including birthdates, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, or financial details.
- Never Pay Scammers: Making a payment only encourages further fraudulent activity.
- Stay Vigilant: Regularly monitor your online accounts for suspicious activity and consider using two-factor authentication for added security.
How to Protect Yourself From Scams
- Secure Your Email: Use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Check for Breaches: Use websites like Have I Been Pwned to see if your email has been compromised.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about common scams and how to spot phishing attempts.
Stay Informed
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Don’t let scammers exploit your fear. Stay informed, secure your accounts, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
Everyone I talk to is saying the same thing what the hell is going on in Glenrock. Every other day there’s some other kind of issue what happened to that little small town thieves are targeting the town in the past year is overwhelming.
It’s happening in Ridgewood. It’s just that the Ridgewood Police Department doesn’t put out press releases about it.
Give them a break. They’re busy. They don’t have time to write letters.
So what you’re saying is they are controlling the press again but you did in the past. I’m sure I remember in the 80s. They controlled a lot of the press. A lot of bad things were going on at the bus station, right