Cape May Police Report Upswing of Phone Scams

CAPE MAY –  The Cape May City Police Department has been receiving an increased amount of scams being reported recently.
According to a release, a majority of the reports of scams filed are telephone scams and require the victim to provide the suspect with debit card or gift card information.
A valid company will never ask for payment in that manner.
Anyone having a suspicion that they are in this situation should end the phone call and locate a valid telephone number for the company in question.
For credit cards, a phone number can always be found on the back of one’s card. Government financial institutions such as the IRS and Social Security will not call anyone by phone and ask for personal information/payment.
Other scams reported to the police department include:  Atlantic City Electric unpaid bills.
Internal Revenue Service calling about unpaid taxes. Government agencies requesting funds for active warrants.
Children/grandchildren being held hostage for money.
Prize money requiring a deposit before being paid.
Depositing of a check from an unknown sender with the promise of being paid at a later date for one’s trouble.
Suspect calls and informs that one’s computer has a virus. Once the victim sends gift card information over the telephone it is nearly impossible to track.
Most of the time these stolen funds or information are wired to another state or out of the country.
Visit https://www.usa.gov/common-scams-frauds for more information.
The Federal Trade Commission is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints and can be reached at 1-877-382-4357.