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NYPD Alert: Green Dot MoneyPak Scam
| Posted on: www.cb14brooklyn.com |
The New York Police Department has requested that we notify the community of a scam being perpetrated in our area using “Green Dot MoneyPak” cash cards. Please Click Here to see the NYPD flyer or continue reading below for additional details and tips about how to protect yourself. If you have information about this scam, please call your local police precinct or 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
NYPD VIDEO: The New York City Police Department has created an awareness video regarding this scam. Please CLICK HERE to view the video.
How it works?
The scenario unfolds like this:
1. You receive a phone call and are told by the caller:
– You owe the IRS money from taxes not paid and are threatened with arrest or deportation unless you agree to pay.
– You are told you have an outstanding utility bill and unless you pay your service will be shut off.
– You are told a relative or friend has been in an accident and an immediate payment is required.
– You are told that a relative or friend has been arrested and needs bail money.
2. The perpetrator tells you to go to a store and purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak Card and place a certain amount of cash on the card.
3. You are supplied a callback number and are told to contact the perpetrator once you have the Green Dot MoneyPak Card.
4. When you call the perpetrator back you are asked to scratch off the back of the card and read the serial number of the card to the perpetrator.
5. The perpetrator then uses that number to cash out the card, thus stealing the money that you put on the card.
The NYPD is asking anyone with information about this scam to contact their local Precinct or call 1-800-577-TIPS.
Here are some valuable tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
Always be wary whenever you receive a phone call and the person calling asks for money.
- Utility Companies do not ask their customers to make immediate payments using this particular payment method.
- When in doubt hang up, call back your utility company and inquire about your account status.
- The IRS will not threaten people with deportation or arrest over the phone.
- If you become suspicious or uneasy hang up and call 9-1-1
- If you receive a call and are asked to make a payment using a Green Dot MoneyPak Card – It is a scam!
NYPD GreenDot Money Pak scam awareness video – http://youtu.be/Aks5FivTMjM