Scam Alert Issued In Cheshire

CHESHIRE, CT — Police are advising residents of a recent scam that has been reported in Cheshire.

A resident was contacted by scammers who claimed that there was a problem with their Apple and Google accounts, according to police.

“The callers told them they could fix the problem—but only if they purchased a large amount of gift cards and provided them with the card numbers,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “The following day, they received another call with instructions to send a large amount of cash hidden inside a magazine to an address across the country. The scammers later called again, claimed the money had not arrived, and demanded they send more.

“Unfortunately, scammers can be extremely convincing. They may impersonate well-known companies, banks, government agencies, law enforcement, or other trusted organizations. They often create a sense of urgency and pressure you to act before you have time to question what is happening.”

Read more from the police department below:

Please remember:

• Never purchase gift cards as payment for a service, account problem, debt, fine, or fee at the direction of an unknown caller.
• Never provide gift card numbers or PINs over the phone.
• Never mail or ship cash to someone you do not personally know.
• Do not trust the name or phone number displayed on Caller ID—these can be spoofed.
• If someone contacts you claiming there is a problem with an account, hang up and contact the company directly using a phone number or website you independently verify.
• If a caller tells you to keep the transaction secret, stay on the phone while you purchase gift cards, or act immediately, STOP. These are major warning signs of a scam.

Before sending money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or anything else of value to someone you do not know, take a moment and talk to someone you trust.

When in doubt, hang up. Verify. And never let a caller pressure you into sending money.