Scams, scams and more scams!

The Punta Gorda Police Department wants to keep you safe from scams. The following is from an e-mail the department recently sent out; it includes a list of recent scams that have been reported.

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Grandparents scam

In the “Grandparents Scam,” a person calls or e‐mails pretending to be your grandchild. The caller will have information easily obtainable on the Internet, such as your grandchild’s name, address, age, etc. The caller, still pretending to be your grandchild, will claim to need money due to an arrest or accident. Often times, another person will get on the phone and pretend to be a bail bondsman, law enforcement officer, lawyer, etc., to provide information on how to send the money – typically by Western Union to an account in Canada. If you get this call, stop and think about the situation: “Would my grandchild call me in Southwest Florida during an emergency such as this?” If you are still unsure, do your homework.

--Call your relatives and see if your grandchild is okay.
--Call information, or look on the Internet for the phone number to the jail or hospital where your grandchild supposedly is located.
--Then, call that agency and see if your grandchild actually is there. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call the police for advice.

Medicare Scam

AARP issued a Scam Alert about this in June after a number of Indiana residents reported receiving calls about this scam. The scammer behind these calls typically will offer the victim free medical supplies in exchange for their Medicare number, maiden name, and date of birth. Do not provide that information to someone who calls you.

Investment scam

A Punta Gorda couple recently lost almost $2,000 in a timeshare/business scam. The couple had received a phone call from a “Ronald Giles,” who claimed to represent “Lunar II Enterprises” or “Luxury Condos International.” The suspect told the Punta Gorda couple he could find a buyer for their timeshare, but they had to send $1,999 for a lawyer fee. The couple gave Giles their Visa debit card number. The money-- and Giles-- then disappeared.

Here are some tips to avoid being a victim of a crime:
--Don’t send money anywhere to anyone without fully investigating the person and the company.
--If you “have to act now,” it’s not worth it.
--Ask for brochures and other information about the company or nonprofit. A legitimate organization will provide such materials.
--Never provide your bank accounts, credit card numbers, Social Security number, Medicare number, date of birth, or other personal information to someone who calls you on the phone.
--If it seems too good to be true, it is.
--If you feel uncomfortable, or have any doubts, listen to your concerns.

Don’t hesitate to call the Punta Gorda Police Department at (941) 639‐4111 if you have been the victim of a scam, or an attempted scam, or if you have information about a scam.