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.

And, police said, no legitimate bank or credit card company will ask you to supply them with a Social Security number or account passwords over the telephone or on-line.

Police said anyone who receives these suspicious mailings or offers should contact their local police precinct.

By JOHN VALENTI (Newsday)
Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009