Frauds

HOME REPAIR FRAUD

Senior citizens may make an ideal target for individuals fraudulently offering to perform home repair job. Decreased physical ability may make an offers sound attractive. Traditionally the repairs are for driveway repair, roof or gutter repair and asphalt repair. The perpetrators either claim to have materials left over from other jobs, or offer significant discounts, or state that they were sent by a close relative or friend. When the work is completed, the homeowner is presented discovers the cost of the work is suddenly more than the quoted cost. The perpetrator demands payment in cash. The con artists may even to drive the victim to the bank to obtain the requested cash.

Citizens are advised to always get references for any home repair contractors. Contractors in the State of New Jersey must be licensed for many trades. If someone demands cash for work performed, generally something is wrong. The elderly are advised to be especially leery of companies or workers from outside the local area. If you believe that you are being ripped off, contact your local police immediately. If you have been ripped off, contact the police and your lawyer. Individuals entering into an agreement with a contractor should check the contractor’s references and the Better Business .

UTILITY EMPLOYEE IMPERSONATORS

Con artists attempt to gain entrance to a victim's home by impersonating employees of a utility company. Once inside the home, the con artists tell the victim the utility company overcharged them and they are at then residence to provide a refund in cash. The con artist(s) then ask for change for a $100 bill. When the victim makes change for the $100, the perpetrators learn the location of the victim's money; and while one individual diverts the attention of the victim, the other steals. In a variation of this scam, the victim may be lured into the basement to help one of the impersonators locate an alleged water or gas leak while the house can be ransacked for cash and valuables.

Residents should never allow anyone that they don’t know into their home. When an utility employee or service worker arrives unanticipated, ask fir their ID to be displayed at a window near the door. If you are still unsure, or feel uneasy, contact the utility company to verify the purpose of the employees presence at the residence. If the person is a utility company representative, no one will mind.

HOME DIVERSION BURGLARY

This fraud occurs when the weather is such that residents are working outside. A con artist will approach an intended victim and occupy his/her attention. A second con artist will then enter the residence. There they will steal smaller transportable valuables such as cash, jewelry and silver.February 27, 2007unlocked and unalarmed.

Another variant occurs when a con artist asks a resident for a drink of water, to use the bathroom, or to use a telephone for an emergency. All the excuses are in an attempt to gain entrance to the residence. The subjects then attempt to divert the resident’s attention while an accomplice searches for valuables.

To avoid becoming a victim, if a person you don’t know comes to your home, for any reason, no matter how innocent they appear or how reasonable the request may be, keep the person outside and the door between you and them secured. . If they need a drink, direct them elsewhere. If they need to call someone, make the call for them. When your working outside, lock the doors not visible to you.

THE PIGEON DROP

This scam involves a person who claims to have found a large sum of money. The potential victim is convinced to put up "good faith" money to share in the good fortune and generally is driven to the bank to get a “good faith” payment. The good faith money is put with the found money. A con artist distracts the victim and the money package is switched. The switched pacFebruary 27, 2007eave to make final arrangements and never return.

If it’s too good to be true, it is. Why would a stranger give you their money for no reason? Anyone asking a person to put up money for "good faith" is untrustworthy. If someone tries to run this scam on you, call the police immediately and describe the strangers who want to “befriend” you.

BANK EXAMINER SCAM

In this fraud, the con-artist portrays them self as a Good Samaritan posing as a bank employee, a police officer, a bank examiner or an FBI agent. The con artist may quickly flash a badge or identification while they request the assistance of their intended victim. The story the con-artist provides may involve needing the victim’s assistance checking on an bank employee suspected of fraud. or a belief a financial error made have been made involving an account of the victim. Once the con-artist gains the victim's confidence, the victim is persuaded to withdraw a large sum of money from and account. The victim is assured the money will be returned. The swindler disappears, never to be seen again.

Any individual or organization involved in financial investigations has the resources and wherewithal to conduct an investigation independent of any outsider. Utilization of undercover operatives and access to large sums of money is common in financial investigations. If any government agent approaches you, contact their agency to verify their employment. If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of an individual identifying themselves as an investigator, contact police immediately.

LETTER SCAM

The ultimate version of this con is known as the “Nigerian Scam” and has been around in one form or another since the 1920’s when victims were contacted by someone trying to smuggle a member of a wealthy family out of a Spanish prison

The perpetrator of this scam claims to be from Africa , or other foreign country, and has just inherited/obtained/been given a large sum of money. The con artist states that they cannot lawfully convert/transfer/transport the funds and need assistance in moving the funds out of their country. The victim is asked to open an account so the money can be transferred. The victim is told they can keep the money and periodically send small amounts of it back to the perpetrator. The victim opens an account and provides the account information to the con artist to allow a deposit. The con artist closes the account instead of depositing funds.

In a variant of the scam the victim meets the con artist, who gives the impression that they are returning to their county and will be leaving their money behind. The con-artist tells the intended victim the victim is trusted, but it will be necessary for the victim to prove they have money so they won't be tempted to keep all the money. When the victim withdraws a large sum of money, the money is placed into a handkerchief or envelope with the con-artist's money. The handkerchief or envelope is switched and the victim given an identical envelope or handkerchief containing cut up paper. The con-artist is never seen again.