From Office of Berks County District Attorney
The Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives have noted a recent increase in two types of telephone scams that are specifically targeting Berks County residents.
Amazon Fraudulent Purchase Scam
This scam has primarily targeted elderly residents living in Berks County. This scam involves a random telephone call from someone purporting to be a law enforcement officer. This caller asks the potential victim if they recently purchased a laptop computer or a similar type of device through Amazon. Once the potential victim denies making such a purchase, the caller indicates that this fraudulent purchase is already being investigated and that he merely needed confirmation that the purchase was not authorized. The caller then asks the potential victim for the name of their banking institution. The caller then offers to transfer the potential victim to their respective bank institution so that this alleged fraudulent activity can be reported and their bank accounts safeguarded. The potential victim, believing that he/she is now speaking with a representative from their financial institution, was actually transferred to another scammer who then begins to obtain personal and banking information. In some instances, a third person, claiming to be from a federal law enforcement agency, will also speak with the victim to ease their concerns about releasing their personal or banking information.
This scam preys upon the potential victim’s fear of becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft. The scammer will often provide a police case number, a badge number, and a contact telephone number to further legitimize the call. The scammer may also indicate that he is working with the Berks County Sheriff’s Department and that they are assisting with this investigation.
Berks County Electronic-Monitor Scam
A second scam that has occurred throughout Berks County, involves a random call from someone purporting to be from the Berks County Sheriffs Department. These calls target family members of current Berks County inmates. In this scam, the caller indicates that the inmate is now eligible for release via an electronic ankle monitor. The caller claims that he oversees the electronic ankle monitoring program and that certain fees are required as part of the set-up process. The potential victims are then asked to pay various start-up, activation, and monitoring fees, sometimes totaling thousands of dollars. Potential victims are instructed that these “fees” can be paid via popular peer-to-peer payment platforms, such as Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay, etc.
This scam preys upon the family members of county inmates and their desire to have their loved ones released from prison. As this scam continues, more and more of these made-up “fees” will be requested until the victim eventually becomes suspicious or comes to the realization that they are being scammed.
The Berks County District Attorney’s Office reminds residents that electronic monitoring devices, such as ankle monitors are authorized by the court and that any costs associated with these devices are not collected over the telephone by any government entity, including the Berks County Sheriff’s Department.
Since the perpetrators of this scam often utilize spoofed telephone numbers that may appear to be from the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, these scams can be extremely unnerving and very believable to potential victims.
The following suggestions may help county residents avoid being scammed:
- Never give out sensitive information over the phone. This would include social security numbers, dates of birth, account numbers, names of financial institutions, or account balances.
- Do not feel pressured to provide a payment to anyone asking over the telephone. Do research into what is being asked of you. Run the situation by a friend or family member before sending or withdrawing any money. Talk with someone you trust before you act.
- Slow down! Scammers will try to rush you and will pressure you into sending or withdrawing money immediately. Legitimate law enforcement agencies and banking personnel would never rush you regarding any financial decision.
- Never withdraw cash in response to an unexpected call or message. Only scammers will demand that you urgently withdraw large amounts of money.
- Government agencies and business entities will never demand payment over the telephone using Bitcoin, gift cards, or peer-to-peer payment platforms. Anyone who asks for funds to be paid in this manner is likely a scammer.
- Remember, just because someone calls you and claims to be from a financial institution or a government agency, it doesn’t mean that they are from that entity. Ask questions and do research especially when the nature of their inquiry is unexpected, suspicious, or involves high pressure tactics.
- Do not deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM, or “BTMs,” at the request of an unsolicited caller. Anyone who asks for funds in this way is most likely a scammer.
Residents who receive a random call and before sending payment to any law enforcement entity via any means, please contact your local police, the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, and/or the Berks County District Attorney’s office. Be wary of any callback telephone numbers provided to you by scammers.
In addition to notifying your local police, a complaint can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or (877) 382-4357.
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