Scams

SCAMS / ID Theft

Be alert for suspicious activity on your credit cards and bank accounts. Check your monthly statements carefully for unauthorized transactions. Do not give out your personal information to callers or e-mails alleging to be from your financial institution or credit card company and need to verify your account. It's also a good idea to check your credit report periodically for credit accounts that may have been opened in your name.

We have also come across fraudulent sweepstakes where the victim is contacted and advised they have won a large cash prize. In order for the victim to claim the prize, they must pay a processing fee. The fees are usually over a thousand dollars and once paid, the sweepstakes contact is never heard from again.

WEB BASED AIRLINE TICKETS

Use caution when purchasing airline tickets online

We have received information stating that the following Internet Airline Ticketing Websites have been identified as SCAMS.

www. BusySky.net
www. CheapClouds.com
www. CrazyTickets.net
www. SubmitPrice.net

These sites have been identified as sites utilized to attract customers by undercutting airline ticket prices offered elsewhere. They capture your credit card information, including
account number, expiration date, and CVV (Antifraud Security Feature on Credit Cards).

The customer receives a message stating that the credit card transaction has been declined, followed by instructions to wire funds for payment of the tickets.

This scam is quite clever in that unlike the usual scams they did not initiate the contact, the customer does by doing a web search for the best ticket prices. This creates a false perception of legitimacy.

If successful, they will have obtained the customers' credit card information (sufficient to do mail order, phone order, or Internet orders), the customers' funds (if wired), and deposit account information (origination of wire).

Homestead Rebate Scam

Please be aware of fraudulent callers from the "State Homestead Rebate Program". The phone dialogue goes something like this:

This is a call from the State's Homestead Rebate Program. If you are (Name), press 1 and enter your Social Security Number".

Please report any attempts of this kind to our department.