Another 'Granny Scam' Pickup In Ossining: Police

OSSINING, NY — Two men from the Bronx are accused of using an Ossining house for a money drop in a scam. It's the second time this year Ossining police have arrested an out-of-towner over scam allegations.

Ossining police officers said they saw the two on Sept. 19 picking up a package from an unoccupied house on Yates Avenue.

"They saw the occupants of the car open the package and start counting a whole bunch of cash. It appears this was another “granny scam” as the money had been sent from California," police said on Facebook. "Those same occupants were also found to be in possession of a second package containing more cash. In total they had $8,932 in US currency."

Anthony Suriel, 35, and Carlos P. Mencia Espinal, 30, face charges of Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree, felonies.

In March, Ossining police arrested a Long Island man on Ann Street, alleging they found two packages of money in his possession — from a victim in Texas and a victim in Missouri, each sent to a different Ossining address whose residents were not in on the scam.

"It’s likely that many more of these incidents happen than we are able to find. It is so important for neighbors to look out for one another and call us when you see something suspicious," police said Sept. 20.

Common Scams and Frauds offers these resources and tips:

Do

• Register your phone number with the Do Not Call Registry. Calls after you're on it are likely scams.
• Be wary of callers claiming that you've won a prize or vacation package.
• Hang up on suspicious phone calls.
• Be cautious of caller ID. Scammers can change the phone number that shows up on your caller ID screen. This is called "spoofing."
• Research business opportunities, charities, or travel packages separately from the information the caller has provided.

Don't

• Don't give in to pressure to take immediate action.
• Don't say anything if a caller starts the call asking, "Can you hear me?" This is a common tactic for scammers to record you saying "yes." Scammers record your "yes" response to use as proof that you agreed to a purchase or credit card charge.
• Don't provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.
• Don't send money if the caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card.

What next

• Report telephone scams to the Federal Trade Commission, either online or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. This is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints.
• Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry.
• Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission either online or by phone at 1-888-225-5322.

Consumers can also file a complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection, which investigates Do Not Call violations. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via @NYSConsumer or www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

SEE ALSO:

• Accused Grandparent Scammer Picked Up 'Bail' Money: Ossining Police
• Phone Scammers Mount End-Of Season Push