The Rye Police Department has issued an alert regarding numerous and continuing complaints from Rye residents who are being victimized by phone scams to gain personal information or money wire transfers from them.

 

 

The Rye Police Department has issued an alert regarding numerous and continuing complaints from Rye residents who are being victimized by phone scams to gain personal information or money wire transfers from them.

Especially prevalent has been an IRS Scam in which a caller identifies himself or herself as an IRS agent, and claims that the victim of failing to properly file taxes. They attempt to lure the victim into sending a wire transfer to a particular account, sometimes even meeting the subject at a local address.

In the Arrest Scam, a male caller identifies himself as an officer from a distant police department, claiming to have a relative of the victim under arrest. The caller is instructed to get a $2,500 money order to bail their relative out of jail.

The Microsoft Scam involves a caller stating that they represent that software company; they proceed to report a virus on the victim’s computer, asking for remote access to fix it and requesting date of birth and Social Security number to complete the process.

Residents are reminded to be cautious and to protect their personal information. It is recommended to take names and numbers of all callers to verify authenticity. Contact RPD at 967-1234 to report an incident.