Scams Targeting Older Residents On The Rise In Brick

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township police are warning residents about an increase in scams targeting those over 60 years old.

The police department, in a notice issued by the township, said those 60 and older are targeted more frequently than any other age group. The notice did not specify a particular scam but there are a number of scams going around at any time.

Police offered these reminders:

• NEVER send money or gift cards to people you don't know.
• The gas company, electric company and water and sewer companies will never call you and ask you to pay a bill using gift cards
• Do not answer the phone for unknown callers
• The Social Security Office will NEVER call you
• The IRS will NEVER call you
• The police and sheriff's office will NEVER call you and tell you "You have a warrant and must send us money."

Brick Township police also offered this information on common scams:

• The “Grandparent Scam:” “Grandpa, it’s me! I was drinking and got in an accident. Now I’m calling you from jail and need bail money. Please go to the Western Union office and send me $2,000 right away! And please don’t tell mom; she’ll be so disappointed!”
• The “Friend-in-Trouble E-mail Scam:” “This is your friend Tracy, e-mailing from London. John and I got mugged while traveling. We lost everything, and need cash for a flight home! If you wire us the money as soon as possible, I promise we’ll pay you back.”
• The “Foreign Investor Scam:” “I am a high-ranking person in a foreign country, sending random e-mail to a total stranger. I must transfer funds to an American bank account. Please e-mail your account information to me, and together we will realize great profit!”

How to protect yourself

• Never give your credit card number, Social Security number, or other personal information to a telemarketer or an institution you do not know or trust. Never give personal information over the phone, unless you initiated the call and are providing it to a company you know and trust.
• Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry at 888-382-1222, or www.donotcall.gov to prevent telemarketers from calling your phone.
• Check your credit occasionally to assure you are not a victim of identity theft. You can obtain one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can call: 877-322-8228 or visit: www.AnnualCreditReport.com.
• If you believe you have been a victim of a scam please call Brick Police at 732-262-1100 and report the incident. Do not be embarrassed or afraid to report it.

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