Recent Fraud-related Scams in Grand Forks Area

 

Article provided by The Grand Forks Police Department

The Grand Forks Police Department would like to inform the public of recent fraud related scams that have been reported and urge people to be diligent when receiving emails and phone calls.

The most common issues seen recently are requests for financial transactions via email. The email appears to come from a known person but it is actually coming from a scammer posing as the known person. There are a variety of methods by which this is perpetrated and there have been many different stories presented as to why the funds are needed. The scammer may ask that you send them credit card information, gift card information, wire them money, or alter direct deposit account information.

We have also taken reports from citizens who had received phone calls in which the scammer presented a story and again requested some type of financial transaction. Your caller ID can display any number the scammer chooses. Again, there are many ways in which this scam is perpetrated. For instance, they may claim to be from a law enforcement or collections agency and warn of pending criminal charges or collections and demand that money be sent to them. This could be in the form of gift cards, bank account numbers, wires, or even cash.

Because the specific methods behind these scams are so numerous and ever changing, it is difficult to provide a detailed warning of what to look for. We are simply urging citizens to be very wary about providing any financial information based upon unsolicited emails or phone calls.

Again, the emails appear to come from someone you know and the phone calls can display any number on the caller ID. If you receive one of these communications, reach out to the person whom it looks like the email is coming from outside of the email thread you received or call them to confirm. In the case of a phone call, call the person back on your own to verify the call actually came from the number shown.

If you feel at all uncertain about the situation, do not send money until you can confirm it is a legitimate request. If you are a victim or suspect that you have received a fraudulent request, call the Grand Forks Police Department to file a report.

Information on protecting yourself from these scams is available in print form in the lobby of the GFPD and can also be found online at ftc.gov/scams.