PWPD Warns Residents of Phone Scams

Port Washington Police are warning residents about several phone scam schemes that are targeting members of the community, especially senior citizens.

According to Port Washington Police Chief James Salerno, many recent phone scam victims have received calls from people claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department. The story usually goes, “you owe back taxes in various amounts and you must pay right away or face arrest.”

This type of scam is high pressure with the caller often stating you have one hour to make the payment either through wiring money or some form of pre-paid cards, police said.

Chief Salerno wants all residents to know that the IRS will never contact you by phone.

Other frequent telephone scams include:

• Kidnapped or arrested family members
• Family member involved in a car crash
• Government Agencies
• Utility Companies {PSEG}
• Prize Winners

Salerno says 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, the PWPD says to not give them money in any form without first checking with the Port Washington Police Department.

These kinds of activities are illegal.