Nassau Seniors Asked to be Aware of Scam Artists

By Hank Russell

Nassau County Executive and Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder recently issued a warning to the county’s senior population to be aware of those who may try to scam them out of money, property or both.

While many of these seniors have fallen prey to these con artists, fortunately, some of the perpetrators have been brought to justice. Just recently, a Massachusetts was arrested for swindling a Nassau woman — who volunteered at Ground Zero after 9/11 — and her mother out of $140,000 by posing as an investment broker. In late July, two men were arrested for posing as representatives with the Federal Trade Commission and they told their victims their bank accounts were compromised and needed to withdraw all their cash and hand it to the scammers who said they would set up a secure bank account for them.

• Home Improvement Scam – a contractor representative will come to the home and offer a free inspection or home repairs. They may also point out damage to your home that they caused.  Do not let unknown persons into your home. Do not pay for work you did not approve to be performed and do not pay in advance for work to be completed.  Try to pay by check or credit card as receipt or record. Recently, two men were arrested for scamming elderly customers by destroying the inside of the home, then telling the victim they needed work done on the home.
• Flat Tire Scam – a victim has a flat tire shortly after exiting the bank or a shopping center.  The victim is immediately approached by someone who happens to conveniently be behind the vehicle offering assistance. While distracted, another involved person enters the vehicle and removes the victim’s property.
• Relative Arrested Scam – Victims are advised by the caller that one of their relatives has been in an accident or has been arrested and is in police custody.  The caller further advises that bail must be paid, and they arrange for a meeting place for the payment.  Payment can be cash, or the victim is instructed to purchase gift cards.
• Social Security Scam – number has been used for fraudulent activity.  To avoid loss of finances, the victim must provide bank account information or send gift cards.
• IRS Scam – a caller states they are from the IRS and are in danger of being arrested or fined due to tax discrepancies.  It is not general practice for the IRS to contact via the telephone and in no circumstances would they ask for payments via gift cards.
• Lottery Scam – victims are contacted and notified that they are the winner of a cash prize.   The caller states a transfer or handling fee is needed to collect the money. This happened to a Roosevelt woman who was out jewelry and $2,000 in cash by a man who claimed he needed help cashing a lottery ticket, but said he also needed collateral to help cash the ticket.
• Computer Scam – a victim receives a message while online stating there is a problem and the ‘person’ needs to take remote access control to repair the problem.  At that time, they gain access to personal information files and online banking information to remove or transfer funds.
• Arrest Warrant Scam – victim receives a message from law enforcement, and they request gift cards to void the warrant.
• PSEG Scam – residents and small business customers receive calls from individuals claiming to be employees stating that a payment must be made immediately, or their service will be disconnected.
• Amazon Scam – Victim is advised that their account has been hacked of fraudulently activity is observed.  Victim is requested to pay off account balance with gift cards

The Nassau County Police Department is urging residents to inform family members, neighbors and the elderly in their communities of this valuable information.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible are asked to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477).  All callers will remain anonymous.