Crime & Safety
Buffalo Grove Police Warn Residents About Phone Scammers
Many scams continue to occur via telephone calls, and in serious cases, people have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Buffalo Grove Police Department would like to remind area residents that phone scams have become a serious issue, where people have been tricked into giving away thousands of dollars and their life savings in serious cases. Scammers call unsuspecting individuals and pretend to be authority figures, loved ones, government agency representatives and others in order to gain trust quickly. They can alter the caller’s number on caller ID to appear as if they are coming from legitimate numbers. These people will offer debt relief, extended car warranties, 'free' trials, and more–all of which are scams. Please see examples below on different scams, where callers can present the following information:
- You just won a sweepstakes you never entered, or you must pay for your prize.
- You are being threatened with an arrest, fines, or deportation.
- You are being heavily pressured to decide immediately on whether or not get involved in something.
- The caller needs payment in the form of a gift card, wired money, or a money transfer app.
The best course of action is to hang up! If you feel compelled to find out more information, find a legitimate call back number, not the one that the caller provided. A legitimate company or organization will welcome your need to verify who they are, and why they would be calling you.
Area residents should also talk with their friends. Chances are many people have experienced different phone scams and can share new information that will keep them informed on the most recent scam tactics. To report a suspected scammer call, please dial 9-1-1. Scams can also be reported online to the Federal Trade Commission here.
