Crime Prevention

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS


Y2K SCAM

There is an email message that has been sent to me that brings up some very important issues.  This email discuss a scam that may or may not be occurring.  However, if this is a hoax message it still brings up some points that everyone should be careful of.

 

The email messages reads:

Y2K Scam

The scam works like this:

The potential victim is called by a person who says they are representing the victim's bank.  The caller tells the victim that their bank is having difficulty meeting requirements to be computer ready for Y2K.

The caller then tells the victim that all customers of the bank need to transfer their accounts to a bond account especially designed to protect the customer's money until the bank could fully comply with Y2K requirements.

The caller then tells the victim that information has to be confirmed about them.   The  caller asks for the victim's  account number and tells them verbal authorization is needed to transfer their funds to the specially designed account.

THIS IS A SCAM.................  Preying on people who will give out personal information before checking it out, because they are afraid they will loose all their money because of the potential problem with Y2K.

 

What can Happen?

If the caller is claiming to be from a bank and you give them the account numbers they could remove all of your money.

If the caller is claiming to be from a credit card company they could use your account numbers to make charges.

If the caller is asking for your Social Security number or Drivers License number they could use this information to set up fake accounts using this information and ruin your credit.

 

What You Can Do?

Do not ever give any personal information (social security number, drivers license number, bank or credit card account numbers) to anyone over the phone with out verifying who you are talking to.

Ask questions.  If you are not sure you are talking to the bank or credit card company ask for the callers name, company they work for, and phone number.   Any legitimate business will be happy to give you this information and they are required to.  If you are still not sure you are talking to the actual bank or credit card company then hang up and call the bank yourself and check the story out.

Watch out for the elderly.  These scam artist usually prey on the elderly because they think they are easy targets. 

If you think someone is trying to pull a scam on you then notify your local law enforcement agency.

 

The Y2K issue is a problem that our society is facing today and a scam artist will use this fear to make a profit.  Don't let the fear make you do something without first looking into it.    


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