Confidence Crimes and Scams

Niles Police DepartmentCrime Prevention Unit

Chief of Police Dean H. Strzelecki

Crime Triangle

ABILITY DESIRECRIME

Con (CON-fidence) Crimes

Gain people’s confidence Work on people’s traits Done quickly to avoid time to think Done for financial gain

Lessons from the Grandma Scam

Get you to say the name Not how bonds are handled Why is this person where they said? Do not trust Caller ID

Lessons from Ruse Entry Scam

Look for other indicators, such as vehicle Inquire who you can call to verify Never admit you are home alone IDs are good to check…If you know what to

look for

Other takes on Ruse Entry

Can my child use your restroom Why your house?

I need water for…. Use the hose outside Does the story make sense?

If Ruse Entry Fails

Home Invasion? Remain as calm as possible Listen to what Offenders say

Avoid opportunity to get in Start Help responding

Home Repair Scam

Repairs not needed Work not performed or

performed substandard Change price of work

Pigeon Drop

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Lottery Scam

Lottery Scam Types Fake Ticket Pay taxes up front

Mystery Shopper Scam

You may receive a letter from a company asking you to be a mystery shopper for them. They will send you a “very real looking check” in varying amounts—up to $4,995.

They will ask you to fill out an acceptance form and send it back to them with your personal information.

They want you to call them before you cash the check.

Once you cash the check, they want you to wire transfer some of the money back.

Charity Scam

Phone Door to Door Outside of Stores

Electronic Scams

Telephone Scams Fraudulent Area Codes (809, 284, 876) Voice Mail Fraud (“push 1”) Calling Card Fraud – know your carrier Switching long distance companies Cellular phone “cloning”

Other Phone Scams

Missed Jury Duty Didn’t pay for ticket –red light cameras

Do not give information over the phone They should have the information

Electronic Scams continued

Internet Fraud Financial

Same Scams – updated technology Know who and how you provide information Fraudulent sites

Pop up ads Links to other sites

E-mail Scams

Types Hide Foreign Money Win Foreign Lottery

Clues Always grammatical errors Of all the e-mails in the world – how did they

pick yours?? Story really does not make sense

E-MAIL SCAM

Electronic Scams -email

Avoiding Scams

Take time to think and ask: “Why is this person doing this?” “What is in it for them?” “Does this really make sense?”

Get a second opinion Check Internet

Snopes.com

Call the Police

Identity Theft

Obtained through Theft Cons and Scams Electronic Means

Review Credit History often Protect your information

ATM Fraud

Protect your card Protect your PIN Skimmers and cameras Review your bank statements

Skimmers

Skimmer installed

Camera

Camera installed

Property Protection

Purse Theft Watch Purse Put in vehicle 1st

Do not carry everything you own with you Carry purse to avoid targeting

Burglary to Vehicles Keep items out of view

Locker Theft Only bring what you need Use locks and lockers

Summary

If it is to good to be true it is Eliminate Opportunity SLOW DOWN and THINK

CALL THE POLICE !!!!

Thank You

If you would like to have a Presentation for your community group call us

847-588-6500