The Lincoln Park Police Department wants to provide a few tips on how to avoid being a victim of phone scams. Recently we have had several reports of citizens being contacted by suspected phone scammers. Following these tips can help avoid being a victim.
- If you get a call saying you’re a winner – don’t pay any money to collect supposed sweepstakes winnings. Legitimate operations won’t require you to pay to collect your winnings.
- Never wire money to anyone with whom you are not familiar with
- Never provide anyone with personal information such as bank accounts, pin numbers or Social Security numbers.
- Check any unfamiliar area codes before returning calls
- Never make donations over the phone, no matter how nicely the caller may ask and how tempting the reward.
- IRS scams – This is not the IRS scamming you, but rather someone impersonating the IRS. Never give any personal information over the phone to anyone claiming to work for the IRS. This is not an IRS policy to request payment and personal information over the phone. * The IRS already had your information*
- If you become a victim please immediately contact the police department.
Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2014
By Anne Runkle
The News-Herald
The Lincoln Park Police Department recently honored two Neighborhood Watch coordinators who have built the program up to about 200 members over the past year.
Michael Parr, program coordinator, and Mary Ellen Mitchell, volunteer coordinator, were named volunteers of the year for bringing the program back. It had been inactive for some time, said Sgt. Jeff Mueller, the Police Department’s liaison to the group.
“They put a lot of their own time and effort into this,” Mueller said.
From the safety of their homes, Neighborhood Watch volunteers serve as extra eyes and ears for the police. They are instructed not to confront any suspicious situation or criminal activity themselves, Mueller said.
Read the complete article on thenewsherald.com.