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If you’re anything like me, you love a true crime story. The chance to be helpful in a real life criminal investigation is a dream come true. (Maybe I’m alone in this. Too many late nights watching Forensic Files?) But the Northern Lancaster County (Penn.) Regional Police Department recently issued a warning urging residents to be aware of a phone scam that’s currently appearing in their area.
According to police, the scammer called a potential victim and stated that registration records tied him to a recovered vehicle. The car had trace evidence containing blood and a large amount of illicit drugs. The victim was then told he was being transferred to another agency in Texas, so he could provide information to help with the investigation.
When the man was transferred, he was asked to provide his bank account numbers, his Social Security number and his birth date. The victim soon became suspicious and ended the call.
Be careful with personal information
The police are now reminding residents not to give personal or banking details to people they don’t know, even if they claim to be law enforcement.
Although this scam has only been reported in Pennsylvania, it will likely pop up around the country before long. If you are genuinely being asked to help with a criminal investigation, the interview will likely take place in person. It’s hard for the police to verify your identity over the phone.
If someone claiming to be a police officer does call you, ask for the officer’s name, badge number and station. Then hang up and call that station to verify the officer is who they say they are.
