New Scam Sends Couriers To Collect Cash At Scottsdale Homes, Police Say

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Scottsdale police are sounding the alarm on a scam that starts with a phone call or text and ends with a stranger showing up at your door to collect your money.

The scam typically begins with a call, text, email or pop-up message claiming there's an urgent problem with your bank account or personal information.

Scammers create a sense of fear and urgency, pressuring victims to act fast, often telling them to withdraw cash, buy valuables or package up items for "safekeeping."

Then comes the twist: a courier is sent to the victim's home to physically pick up the money or property. Once that courier leaves, police said, the money and valuables are typically gone for good.

Police are urging residents never to hand over cash, gift cards or valuables to anyone who shows up at their home at the direction of a caller or message, no matter how official it sounds.

The biggest warning sign is urgency itself. If someone is pressuring you to act immediately or telling you to keep the situation secret, that's a red flag.

Police recommend verifying any request by calling your bank or the organization directly, using a phone number you look up yourself rather than one provided by the caller.

When in doubt, hang up. Police suggest talking it over with a trusted family member or friend before taking any action, giving yourself time to confirm whether the request is real.

Anyone who believes they've been targeted is asked to contact the Scottsdale Police Department at 480-312-5000.