75-Year-Old Wyckoff Man Scammed Out of $1,900: Police

Wyckoff police urge residents not to fall for phone scammers as one man did this week.

A 75-year-old Wyckoff man received a call from someone claiming to be his friend. The ”friend” said he had been arrested and needed $1,900 to be released. The resident wired the man the money.

That wasn’t the end of it though.

The resident received a call from someone claiming to be an attorney representing someone injured by his friend, police said. The “attorney” requested $3,850 from the resident.

The man became suspicious, called his friend, and found out it was a hoax, authorities said.

Several residents have been contacted by scammers claiming to be from utility companies or the Internal Revenue Service. These callers threaten residents with fictitious fines or with being arrested if they don’t pay.

“Wisely, these residents did not fall for the scams,” said Chief Benjamin Fox. “All law enforcement can do is to say over and over: Never send money to anyone when you get an unsolicited telephone call. The callers make thei ssue sound urgent to get you to act without thinking.”

Anyone who receives such phone calls should call the Wyckoff police at 201­-891-­2121.