An interesting trend the Newport Beach Police Department has started seeing with some local scammers has to do with the method of payment. Once the scammer has convinced the victim to pay them (using their ruse of choice), the scammer has the victims pay a large sum of money in cash and arranges to have the cash picked up either from the victim’s home or at a meeting spot. Unfortunately, some victims have suffered significant losses (upwards of fifty thousand dollars in some cases) after multiple transactions with the scammer before realizing they were being conned.

Like in these incidents, scammers often request payment in ways that can be difficult to reverse, including: wiring money, putting money on a gift card, prepaid card, or cash reload card, or using cryptocurrency or a money transfer app. Be wary whenever you’re dealing with a stranger who requests payment in one of these forms.

Here's another “red flag” that occurred in one recent incident that could have suggested the victim was dealing with a scammer: The victim was told not to tell the bank teller what the money was being used for, and instead to give them a bogus reason (“for home improvements” or “a medical emergency”). This is because the scammer was afraid the bank teller would be able to identify this was a scam. Scammers want to keep their victims isolated – once another party is involved (even a family member or trusted friend), it becomes much more likely that the victim will realize that it is a scam.

Here’s what you should do if you think you might be dealing with a scammer:

1. Stop. Check it out.  Before you send any money or give out your personal information, take a few extra moments to verify whom you are dealing with.

• For communications from alleged businesses or government agencies: Do not give out any personal information until you have verified the identity of the person you are dealing with.  Ask them for their name, department, and business phone number. Confirm that information by calling the organization at a phone number found on the internet or through official correspondence/billing statements.  If the caller refuses to provide this information, terminate the call immediately.
  • If you get a text message or email from an organization you do business with, don’t click on any links before doing your research.  

• Talk to someone you trust. Speaking with a family member, friend, or neighbor before you act may help you realize if it’s a scam. Their outside perspective can be helpful since they are removed from the pressure and emotion of the situation.

1. Keep your information (and money) safe.  Never give out personal identifying information, such as bank account or credit card account numbers, to anyone you do not know.  Never send money to an unknown person.
2. Share this information with a friend.  You might know how these swindlers operate and how to deal with them, but chances are you know someone who doesn’t. Awareness is one of the biggest tools for preventing these types of crimes, so it is important to get the word out. Please pass this along to your loved ones!