The Moorhead Police Department has noticed a concerning increase in the number of Fraud – Scam reports recently. Over the last two weeks, eighteen different Fraud reports were taken by Moorhead officers. The reported scams varied; however they often shared the common goal of “theft by deception”.
A variety of phone scams were among those reported. Often involving an alleged relative needing financial assistance for arrest bail, car repairs, etc. Unfortunately, these financial predators were successful in a number of these incidents and have prompted us to remind the public once again to please be very cautious with your personal funds. “Grandparents” have been the target of choice.
Be extremely careful with providing personal information over the telephone. Often falsely associating themselves with companies or organizations they are given account numbers that allow them later access to bank accounts.
Reported computer scams have been ranging from fake overpayment checks being sent for payment of advertised items on Craigslist to notifications that they have won a prize and need to provide personal information.
Several of the complainants indicated that they were able to identify that they were being lied to through extensive questioning of the caller. The callers would hang up once they were exposed as imposters.
