Purse Scam Leads to Home Burglary, Police Warn

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The following information was released in an email by the Frontenac Police Department. It was shared with authorities by a former aldermen, according to the email.

In the email, police said this incident was not verified, but the alleged act should serve as a reminder to residents to be cautions and protect their personal security. 

Here are six things to know about a reported scam involving a purse stolen from a shopping cart. The email from police said the theft ultimately led to a home burglary.
  

1. A woman went shopping and left her purse sitting in the children's seat of the cart while she reached something off a shelf, her wallet was stolen.
2. She reported the theft to store personnel.  
3. After returning home, she received a phone call from “Mall Security” to say that they had her wallet and that although there was no money in it, it did still hold her personal papers.  
4. The woman left home to pick up her wallet, only to be told by Mall Security when she arrived that they had not called her.  By the time she returned home again, her house had been broken into and burglarized.  
5. The thieves knew that by calling and saying they were Mall Security, they could lure her out of her house long enough for them to burglarize it.  
6. Bottom line, verify who may be calling to ensure they are not luring you out of your home on a pretext – and install and use a home burglar alarm, even if you’re only heading out for a few minutes. 

The Frontenac Police Department monitors home alarms for $123 per year, and there are no charges for false alarms.   

For information regarding the monitoring, visit www.cityoffrontenac.org.