I Need Help Scam
A relative or friend stating that she and her family were mugged in the some international city and needed help. Their wallets and credit cards were stolen. The email or phone call stated that the hotel wouldn’t let them leave until the bill was paid. The victim or friend would asked them to wire money to them. This of course was a scam to cheat someone out of money. The victim would reply back to the email or phone call. The victim would asked for verification that it was indeed the relative or friend and the crook used statements such as, “of course it’s me”, “how can you ask that”.
This has happened in the Taraval District. The victims would actually wire money or purchase a money card, then tell the criminal the pin number. Once the criminal gets the pin number, the criminal can electronically transfer the money from the money card.
Grand Parent Scam
In this similar scam, a victim, usually elderly, receives a phone call from someone. The caller muffles his or her name, but clearly states that they are the grandson or granddaughter. The victim provides the name, and the caller pretends to be the grandson or granddaughter. The caller gives a similar story where they need money and ask the victim, not to tell mom or dad. The caller asks the victim to wire money or purchase a money card. If the victim does, they lose their money. The caller may actually call back months later and try again.
Warrant for Your Arrest Scam
A victim receives a phone call from someone claiming to be a supervisor from the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, Department of Homeland Security, IRS, or some other government agency. The caller states that the victim has a warrant for his or her arrest. If the victim doesn’t clear the warrant the victim will be arrested. The victim is told to buy a money card and give them the pin number. When the victim does this, he or she has just been scammed.
PG&E Scam
A person receives a phone call from a person claiming to be from PG&E. They tell the victim that their gas and electricity is going to be turned off immediately if they do not pay the overdue bill. They tell the victim to purchase a money card and give them the pin number.
Pigeon Drop Scam
A victim is approached by Criminal #1 who states that he or she found a large sum of money and asks for help. While they are speaking, Criminal #2 approaches them and tells them that he knows how they all can split the found money. Criminal #2 puts up good faith money. The victim is convinced to withdraw money from the bank so he can put up his portion of the good faith money. After the victim puts up his good faith money, the victim is allowed to hold the “found money”. The criminals find a way to leave, but the victim is happy because he has the “found money” and it is much more than the good faith money he put up. Unfortunately, when the victim looks closer at the “found money”, he discovers that dollar bills are wrapped around newspaper to make it look like a large sum of money.
Each of these scams has occurred in the Taraval Police District recently. Protect yourself and don’t fall for these scams. If it’s too good be true, it probably is. Verify who you are speaking with, but not with the person you are speaking with. Speak with another person about the request. It’s not an emergency. A few hours wait or a few days wait won’t hurt you, but can actually save you from being a victim.