Arlington Heights Police Issue Telephone Scam Alert

Arlington Heights Police are warning residents to be aware of two recent scams where residents were contacted by phone by suspected criminals.

The first incident happened to a senior resident who was contacted via phone by an unknown offender who stated the resident had won $2.5 million and a Mercedes Benz.

The caller then asked the senior citizen to purchase a Green Dot Money Card and to load $499 on it, and then mail it to an address in Maribor, Florida, Arlington Heights police say.  

The next victim also received a phone call, but the caller in this instance asked for the person's Medicare Identification Number (SSN). Police say the victim refused to divulge the information to the caller. 

Arlington Heights Police have provided some tips to remember:

• If it sounds to good to be true, it likely is.
• Never give your bank account number, social security number or credit card numbers to people you don't know.
• When pressured to purchase something immediately, say no.
• Never pay for a prize, when there are taxes or processing fees to pay, it is likely a scam.
• Scammers are clever, and will often change their stories, so be on the lookout. 

Information provided by Arlington Heights Police.