CROWN POINT — As the crisp autumn air sets in, another disturbing trend is on the rise: phone scams falsely linked to police departments. Crown Point, Manhattan, and Lemont Police Departments are all sounding the alarm on sophisticated fraudsters.
These con artists pose as officials, claiming investigations, overdue fines, or computer infections, urging victims to pay using unconventional methods, notably Bitcoin. Commander Norman Isaacs of Crown Point emphasizes, “Under no circumstances will a government agency or reputable company request the use of Bitcoin, pre-paid gift cards or pre-paid money cards as a form of payment.”
The Manhattan PD also reports deceptive calls from fake detectives demanding fine payments. In addition, Lemont PD warns about crooks spoofing their number, emphasizing they would never request phone payments.
The community’s best defense? Skepticism. Before acting on any call, verify the identity, and when in doubt, contact the respective police department. Remember: keeping personal information private is the first line of defense against these autumnal scammers.
