Police Alert Residents to Recent Scams

warn residents that they have been made aware of two scams going around Roseville.

Computer-hacking scam

One, a computer-hacking scam, was reported by a resident after some of her computer files containing personal identifying information were stolen.

The resident reported that a male with an accent, possibly Middle-Eastern, according to police, called her residence and said he was from "Windows." He asked the resident to allow him access to her computer so he could "patch" or fix a problem. When the resident gave him information about her computer and allowed him to remotely log into it via the Internet, he stole files containing personal identifying information about the resident and her family.  

This stolen information could be used to open credit card accounts, create driver's licenses and use the resident's good credit history to commit fraud and identity theft.

According to Roseville Police, If someone calls you claiming to be a Microsoft support person, or any other computer technical support person, and asks for specific information about you, your family or your computer, do not respond to them, and do not give them control of your computer.  If you have any concerns or questions about an incident that you may think is a scam, please call the Roseville Police Department at 916-774-5000 extension 1.

Auto repair scam

The second reported scam is an auto repair scam. There were two reports in January of men working an auto repair scam in commercial parking lots on Douglas Boulevard near I-80. They approached victims in commercial parking lots and offered to fix dents and scratches on the victims' vehicles in exchange for cash. Later, victims found the dents weren't fixed or were even made worse.

The two suspects were described as tan-complexioned, possibly Hispanic, adult males, one in his 30s and another in his 60s. Their vehicles were described as gray American-made pickups.

Roseville Police warn residents to not accept unsolicited offers to fix your car, or to fix your roof, your plumbing, or any other unsolicited "drive-by" offers, especially if the "repair-person" pressures you for cash on the spot. Call police immediately to have suspicious people checked out.