The Pomona Police Department recently became aware of a telephone scam involving identity thieves who falsely purported to be Pomona Police Officers. The scammers told victims their social security numbers had been “suspended” and asked them to provide personal identifying information about themselves to allegedly correct the issue. To appear legitimate, these scammers used caller identification “spoofing” technology to cause actual telephone numbers of the Pomona Police Department to appear on the victims’ phones.
Similar law enforcement scams are occurring nationwide. The ruses used by the scammers vary greatly; however, the motives remain the same: swindling money and acquiring personal information that can be used to commit identity theft.
Be wary of calls from any supposed government agency requiring you to provide information about yourself or to pay fines through unconventional means, such as gift cards, cash apps, or wire transfers.
If you receive a call from the Pomona Police Department about which you are uncertain, hang up and call the non-emergency number at (909) 622-1241. If the call is legitimate, you will be connected to the appropriate person.
If you are the victim of identity theft, you can report the incident online to the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov . Additionally, if you are the victim of an internet scam, you can file an online report with the FBI at www.ic3.gov .
No comments:
Post a Comment