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A resident reports that he received an email asking for help, in the name of his “SCLH Line Dance Instructor”. The “Scam email” stated that she was out of the country and it was her granddaughter’s birthday. The “Scammer” asked the resident to purchase ” iTunes cards” in the amount of $400 dollars in $100 dollar denominations for her granddaughter. (This resident knew that his “Line Dance Instructor ” was currently out of town so he thought it could be a legitimate email). The resident was told to verify the purchase by sending the iTunes card numbers (found on the back of the cards) back to the “Scammer'” at a different email address . This resident very wisely ” Googled iTunes cards” and found out that this is a “Scam”. Fortunately, in this case there was no loss.
Somehow this “Scammer” was able to hack into and use the “SCLH Line Dance Instructor’s” email and apparently the “Scammer” knew she was traveling out of the area.
FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA VENUES ARE CONSTANTLY BEING MONITORED BY “SCAMMERS”. BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT POSTING ANY INFORMATION WHICH LETS PEOPLE KNOW YOU ARE TRAVELING !!
We are still receiving reports of residents who fall victim to the “Grandparent Scam” via PHONE calls. Recently a resident lost $6,000 to the “Grandparent Scam”.
ANY TIME YOU RECEIVE A CALL OR EMAIL, ASKING FOR ANY TYPE OF PAYMENT USING GIFT CARDS AS PAYMENT, BEWARE !!!! WHEN IN DOUBT, CONTACT A RELATIVE, FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR AND ASK FOR ADVICE.
Barry Johnson
Neighborhood Watch Public Safety Liaison
Click here to contact us: SCLHwatchAlerts