DANBURY, CT — Danbury police are warning residents about an increase in scams involving fake family emergencies and criminals posing as government or bank officials to steal money.
The Danbury Police Department recently issued a public warning about two types of fraud: grandparent scams and gold bar or courier scams.
Police said they have seen an uptick in reports involving these schemes, although the department did not provide specific figures or identify any recent victims.
Grandparent And Family Emergency Scams
In a grandparent scam, a caller pretends to be a grandchild, another relative or a law enforcement officer and claims a loved one is in trouble.
The caller may say a family member has been arrested, injured in an accident or is experiencing a medical emergency, according to police.
Scammers then demand immediate payment through cash, wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Police warned that more sophisticated versions of the scam can use artificial intelligence to clone a person's voice, making the call sound more convincing.
Residents who receive such calls should hang up and contact their relative directly using a phone number they already know, or verify the situation with another family member.
Gold Bar And Courier Scams
Police are also warning about scammers who impersonate federal agents or bank representatives and claim a person's financial accounts have been compromised.
The scammers instruct victims to withdraw their savings, purchase physical gold bars and hand them over to a courier who arrives at their home.
Danbury police emphasized that legitimate government agencies and banks do not demand immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency or gold bars, or threaten people with immediate arrest over the phone.
What Residents Should Do
Police urged residents to slow down, hang up and independently verify any suspicious request for money.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call can contact the Danbury Police Department directly at 203-797-4611.
The department also encouraged residents to share the warning with family members, particularly those who may be unfamiliar with these scams.
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