Nassau police warn of scam solicitations

The Nassau County Police Department is warning residents about scam solicitations that promise monetary awards or rewards or include "realistic-looking checks."
As reported recently by Newsday, some of the latest versions of the mail fraud schemes ask the recipient to cash the included check or money order - and, often, then ask the recipient to return a portion of it to the sender.
These schemes include "Secret Shopper" or other employment promises, sweepstakes, lotteries, business opportunities and even inheritances.
Nassau Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey said in a prepared statement released Tuesday that citizens should be "vigilant when receiving unexpected mailings or other forms of solicitations that inform them that they are recipients of a sum of money."
He said this is especially true if the correspondence is sent from a foreign country.
The key to the latest scams is the inclusion of "a realistic-looking check or money order," Mulvey said. Scammers often pitch a job opportunity or some other type of offer - and then ask for vital personal information or money in return.
In some cases, police said, scammers will send a check or money order for a purchase they make from you - buying something you are selling - and then ask you to return the overage amount. The check or money order then bounces and you're out all the cash.
Other times, scammers will ask you to deposit a check or money order as part of a potential employment offer, then ask you to buy items and ship them. When the check or money order bounces, police said, you're responsible.
Some of the recent scams send a check or money order as an "advance on the millions that you're going to receive from a sweepstakes, lottery, or inheritance," police said.
Others "offer you a foreign business deal and send you a check or money order as an advance on your profits."
Some tip-offs that the deal you're offered is a scam:
- Police said don't send money if a caller requires you to send money "right now!" and says you must wire money before you can claim your prize.
- Don't wire money to someone you don't know well.
- Don't send money to someone who tells you what to say to the wire transfer agent - or says you should hide information or lie to the agent.
Police said anyone who receives these suspicious mailings or offers should contact their local police precinct.
Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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