Northport Police Warn Residents of Phone Scams

Northport Village Police are warning residents they have received numerous reports of identity theft-type phone scams in Northport on Friday.

These particular calls are from an IRS agent requesting personal information, such as your social security number or your mother’s maiden name, as well as payment through various methods (Western Union, money cards, direct withdraw from the bank). Police say the calls are not legitimate and these people are trying to steal your money and identity.

• Contact Northport Police 631-261-7500 if you have any questions or think you may be a victim of a phone scam.

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal resident’s personal information. Sometimes you might get a caller who demands money because “your niece is in jail in Mexico,” or “your grandson just hit a car and drove away.”

It’s good for residents to stay informed on what strange tactics these criminals will come up with next.

Other possible phone scams include:

• The IRS claiming you owe money
• Recorded calls from the New York State Office for the Aging asking for personal information
• Kidnapped or arrested family members
• Family member involved in a car crash
• Calls from government agencies
• Utility Companies {PSEG or National Grid} scams where callers claim they are going to turn off your power of gas if you don’t pay them.
• Prize Winners
• Ebay or Craigslist scams where you are sent a check for more money than the item is worth. The person will ask you to deposit the check and send them their money back. The check will bounce and then will ask you to send it through another method.

Legitimate agencies and companies will never ask clients to send money via:

• Green Dot MoneyPak
• MoneyGram
• Western Union
• Other prepaid card / money transfer company

If you or someone you know receives a strange call like the ones described above, do not give them money in any form without first checking with the Northport Village Police Department.

Financial scams should be reported to the Consumer Protection Division of the New York State Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-771-7755, the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-697-1220 or the New York State Department of State at 518-474-8583.