Perfect resolution to resident’s lost-iPhone situation
Kudos to the anonymous Wood Dale County Park passerby who turned in a resident’s lost iPhone 7 with black Otterbox case July 30. Police contacted the owner, who arrived at headquarters that evening with his mother and proved the device was his by unlocking it with a password.
Senior citizen bullied into giving up social sec. number
A senior citizen residing on South Maple Avenue reported on July 29 that she had been harassed into giving her social security number to a scam caller.
Officers reported that the resident said she was called by a person who told her that she needed to pay $65,000 the next day or she would be arrested by local police.
The caller gave her two addresses in El Paso, Texas where “field offices” were. In a panic, at his urging, she gave him her social security number. Presently she realized it was a scam.
Police advised her to monitor her bank accounts and credit cards for fraudulent activity. She declined an offer to entered her information as an ID theft victim. Detectives were notified.
Never give anyone your credit or debit card number, bank routing number, or social security number unless you’re sure the purpose is legitimate—for example, if you are the one who initiated the exchange.
Actual police will not call you to extort money under the threat of arrest.
Any phone number or email address can be “spoofed” to appear to be any number or email address, including those of government agencies or police departments.
If you have any reservations regarding a call seeking money or personal information call your local police department.
Police: Online sale led to phishing attempt
A Ridge Avenue resident reported a theft attempt July 26 after agreed to part with a fireplace on offerup.com. Soon after agreeing to a sale she received a check in the mail for $2,300. The resident found this suspicious as the check was for far more than the sale.
Police confirmed this was a scam attempt. The alleged buyer was phishing for the seller’s bank account information.
The resident did not cash or deposit the check, wanting only to document the incident.