Renton Police Warn Of Latest Phone Scam

Renton WA

23 February, 2021

8:52 PM

Description

The Renton Police Department is flagging a popular new phone scam, after reports of the calls surfacing locally. According to police the robo-call claims the recipient's social security number was "suspended" due to "suspicious and fraudulent activities in Texas." The call goes on to threaten criminal prosecution unless the person presses a button to speak to a representative. The scammers then go on to try and get personal information or extort payment. In a social media post, investigators said it's important to be aware of the scam and share it with others, even for those who believe they would not fall for it. The police department writes: "As you read this please do not assume nobody is going to "Push 1." Because some do; especially individuals who feel connected to this message in some way. It happens to the best of us. These scam tactics endure because these cheeky chiselers continue to make a profit. And that is the long and short of it. If you feel you are immune to this type of approach, please consider if your loved ones feel the same or if they would respond differently than you. We all have people in our life who may be susceptible to being taken advantage of." For this scam, and others like it, Renton police have assembled a few tips, including how to contact investigators if you receive a questionable call or message: • Scammers will often take an emergency event in our Country and turn it into a scam attempt of some sort. They are hoping this approach will resonate with enough people that they can 'capture' a few in their money-grab net. • Don't recognize the long-distance number the call is coming from? Let it go to voicemail; it very well could be a scammer. • Commonly, these scammers operate from overseas. So once an electronic transfer of your financial information is completed, there is little to nothing that law enforcement or the Attorney General's Office can do to recoup the funds you've lost. • DO NOT ever wire money to somebody you don't know. This type of cash transfer is not traceable. And even if you have a name, phone number, email address – if it is a scam - all of that information is more than likely fake. • If by chance somebody has used your social security number fraudulently, the courts will not depend on robo-calling to reach out to you. • Scammers hope to encourage your cooperation either through greed or fear. Take into consideration the methodology of the message you received - no matter how you received it (i.e., by email, phone call, voicemail message, text, etc.). If it sounds hinky, that's probably your intuition ringing its alarm bell furiously trying to make you take a second to consider what you just heard and give it more thought. If you are still unsure as to whether or not the message you received is legit, please reach out to an officer via non-emergency dispatch and they can review the information with you (425-235-2121).