Be Aware of Recent Happenings?
1st - A lady was shopping in a department store recently one evening, when she was approached by
two white females (approx. 25-30 years old). They asked her to reach something on the top
shelf for them. When she did, one of them took her wallet out of her purse. She called the police,
but the girl was gone by the time they got there.
The two girls were seen again near the same store. They left in the same car believed as before. It
is assumed that they are running a scam in the store and have probably stolen other wallets
as in the case of this lady. Likely they are working other store as well. Just be careful anywhere you shop.
2nd - Gift Cards
Now, crooks have found a way to rob you of your gift card balance. If you buy Gift Cards from a
display rack (Ex: K-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, and all others) that has various store cards, you may
become a victim of theft. Crooks are now jotting down the card numbers in the store and then wait a few
days and call to see how much of a balance they have left on the card. Once they find the card is "activated",
they go online and start shopping. You may want to purchase your card from a customer service person, where
they do not have the Gift Cards viewable to the public.
Please be alert everyday, and not just during the holiday season. But, you may want to be extremely careful since you are
likely to be a victim doing the holiday season! Share this and other information with all your family and friends.
3rd - Credit Card Scam
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be bet! ter prepared to protect yourself.
A friend sent this to us. Someone they knew was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "Master Card".
The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497..99 from a Marketing company based in
Arizona ?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), ! is that correct?"
You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for
Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "D o you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers' that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after they called the card holder called VISA to inquire. They called back within 20 minutes to ask us a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - short - They made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing a new number. What the scammers want is the 3- digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, another got a call from a "Jason Richardson of Master Card" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time they didn't let him finish. He hung up and filed a police report, as instructed by VISA! . The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! We aren't sure what areas these criminals are working, but we urged everyone we know that this scam is happening. Please be Careful!
4th - New Way For Car Jackings
Heads up everyone! Please inform your friends!
You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you
look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window.
So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car, that is when the car jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically
mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I'll bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car,
your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised!
If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later.
5th - Another New Way For Car Jackings and to Steal Your Purse or Worst
Heads up everyone! Please inform your friends! This is happening in your local mall parking lots.
Women leave the store and go to their cars. They open the trunk and start unloading the shopping cart. A couple of men will approach and proceed beside the ladies car. They ram their cart into the
side of the car causing the lady shopper to leave the rear of her car to check the damage. The guys will knock her down, grab her pocket book and anything else they want and run off.
Please be careful and go in groups. This has already been reported to be happening in Chesterfield and Colonial Heights, Virginia.
6th - Another Way To Steal Your Pocketbook
This was just on the News on TV. Women are leaving their doors unlocked when stopping at the gas station. They get out and leave their pocket
book on the front seat. The thief drives up beside the victims vehicle and gets out his, stuping down, and opens the victims passenger door. He
grabs the pocketbook of the seat. He closes the door partly and gets back in his vehicle, driving away undetected. Women especially need to
be careful. A purse contains all kinds of personal information & identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong
hands.
7th - Maybe the most important of all is Road Safety
Rules to go by if you see flashing lights from a patrol car/fire truck/emergency.
If they are coming toward you. Pull to the right side the road as quickly as safely possible and wait till they past.
This will clear the road so they can pass quickly in order to get to their destination as soon as possible.
You may just helped saved a life.
Pull over as soon as possible. As soon as you even think that you might be the one who the highway patrol car is after, pull over. This
shows that you have proper respect for emergency vehicles' right of way, and doesn't necessarily mean to the officer that you're
admitting guilt.
Always pull over to the right. Always pull over on the right side of the roadway. On divided highways, signal and safely move over to the far right lane, and then to the shoulder. When you come to a complete stop, choose a section of roadway that has a full shoulder, without guardrails if possible. Pulling over on the left may obstruct traffic, and pulling over next to a guardrail may make it difficult for the officer to safely approach your car. Both are mistakes that won't win favor.
Know where your paperwork is. Normally, when a police officer first pulls you over, he/she will ask for your license, registration and insurance. If you're not well organized and keep the officer waiting while you dig through your possessions, the officer may be less likely to sympathize.
7th - More Road Safety
Be safe on the road. Educate yourself with these simple safety rules:
Make the officer feel safe. Turn your dome light on at night. Always keep your hands in plain sight. Don't make any sudden movements. Roll your window down all the way. Stay in the car. Use common sense and don't put the officer in an uncomfortable situation.
Let the officer talk first. Don't blurt out things that could incriminate you. Keep your calm, even if you're upset about being stopped. Don't volunteer information, like how fast you thought you were going. The officer may not be pulling you over for what you think he is. Let him talk to you first. React kindly and you may have more of a chance to be sent on your way without a ticket.
Don't argue with the officer. Challenging the officer is a recipe for disaster, and likely means that you will be written up for the full offense and the officer will be less likely to opt for a compromise in court. So is asking to see the officer's radar-gun calibration records. If you are issued a ticket and wish to contest it, set a date in court.
And this could save you from being arrested; Your vehicle being towed should you be pulled in a dangerous location.
This is something you should have learned before you first received your drivers license.
8th - More Road Safety
Just sent out from VDOT.. (Virginia Dept. of Transportation). Also released by the Florida DOT
Folks are becoming more and more cruel daily. But this is just the beginning of pangs of distress. With the decline in economy and job losses, we can expect anything. Just can't be too careful these days.
If you are driving at night and eggs are thrown at your windshield. Do not operate the wiper and spray any water because eggs mixed with water become milky and block your vision up to 92.5% so you are forced to stop at the roadside and become a victim of robbers.
This is a new technique used by robbers. Don't be a victim.. Please inform your friends and relatives.
Watch for more soon! Or for scams in your area, check with your state or local police or sheriff's office or their website.
Now, Be Alert & Stay Safe!
If you know of any scams and would like to share the information, please Email Us! Simply
click here: AdoptACopVa1@aol.com
Thank you for your interest in the Adopt A Cop Program.
With warmest regards,
Executive Committee
|