CRIME WATCH ALERT: FEBRUARY 23, 2021

The Crafton Police Department would like to remind residents that there are several phone call scams going around. Today’s scam came from a male who reported that he was an agent with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). The caller advised the resident that his social security number had been found in a rental car in Texas and that his social security number was compromised. He was then instructed to close his bank accounts and retirement accounts and send money via FedEx. The resident was told that he would be arrested if he did not comply. The resident was advised that a jury would hold his money and return it to him if he complied with this request and applied for a new social security card. The resident was also advised to wrap the money in aluminum foil. The resident realized that this may be a scam after he dropped off several thousand dollars at FedEx to be shipped to the caller. The caller was able to retrieve his package and did not lose any of the money that he packaged to send away.

This is a reminder that government agencies do NOT and will NOT call you and instruct you on how to send money or gift cards to them. These agencies will NOT threaten you with arrest either. Ignore these types of phone calls if you have caller ID and do not recognize the number. NO government agency conducts business in this manner. Do NOT give them any information or fall for their tactics. They typically prey on the elderly and sometimes pretend that their grandchildren are involved in some type of criminal activity. Please contact the police department if you have any questions about the authenticity of someone calling you and requesting information. Government agencies will send you correspondence in the mail typically via a “certified letter.”

***LOCK YOUR CARS, TRUCKS AND SUVS***
***DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR VEHICLE***
-PLEASE REMEMBER TO LOCK YOUR VEHICLE(S) AND RESIDENCES ALL OF THE TIME.
-RESIDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY UPON OBSERVING A SUSPICIOUS PERSON OR SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE SUSPICIOUS.
-IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING (Please call 911 immediately, not later)
Remember if it seems too good to be true. It probably is.

For the latest information please follow the Crafton Police Department on our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Crafton-Borough-Police-Department-995829923806767/