Cops Say Phone Scammer Posing as Police Officer

Press release from the New Lenox Police Department:

The New Lenox Police Department received a complaint from a resident that stated she received a solicitation call from the New Lenox Police Department.

The victim reported that she received a phone call from a man who identified himself as “Officer Lee Grabowski” from the New Lenox Police Department and requested her to make a donation. The man directed her to purchase Green Dot Money Pack cards, load the money on them and provide him with the transaction numbers off the back of the card over the phone for payment. After receiving numerous calls, the victim felt that this was suspicious and called police.

It’s a scam, but there’s a new twist. Instead of asking you to wire money, a new scam wants you to use GreenDot, buy a prepaid gift card, or use PayPal. Scammers using reloadable debit cards, gift cards, or PayPal is not new, but it’s growing. It lets them get your money in a way that you’ll never get it back.

Scammers can use computers to make it look like they’re calling from one place – when, in fact, they’re someplace else. If you get a call, email, text, or even a visit from someone telling you to make a payment via PayPal, or to buy a GreenDot card or a gift card, it’s probably a scam.

Police are warning residents that legitimate businesses and government agencies do not conduct business transactions in this manner and do not instruct victims to purchase Green Dot Money Pack cards. Verify any unsolicited business transaction requests by contacting the company yourself by a number or email address you obtain.

Anyone who receives a call like this should contact the local police department and the business or agency the scammer claims to be a representative from. As these cards are sold in several retail stores, retailers should monitor these types of activities and contact police if they see something unusual. Green Dot has a fraud reporting number to contact as well at 800-GREEN DOT and its website GreenDot.com has information regarding how to avoid common scams related to its products.

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