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Posted 07/17/2007    TIPS ON AVOIDING FRAUDULENT CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION SCHEME

     Throughout the year events will occur which may prompt individuals with criminal intent to solicit for contributions for a charitable organization and/or a good cause. When donating, consumers should consider the following:

Do not respond to unsolicited (SPAM) e-mail.

Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via e-mail for donations.

Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.

Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to recognized organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.

Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization.

Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and open you to identity theft.

     To obtain more information on charitable contribution schemes, please contact

     Detective John Ietto
     Fair Lawn Police Department
     201-794-5410
     jietto@fairlawnpd.com

 Posted 07/10/2007 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ALERTS PUBLIC ABOUT ONLINE EXTORTION SCAM

 E-Mail Scam Includes Hit-Man Threat

     The Mobile office of the FBI wants to advise the public of an online extortion scam in which the e-mail recipients are threatened with death by a hit-man.  This scam began last December, however, local residents are now receiving these e-mails. 

     As recently as July 5, 2007, a Mobile resident received an e-mail message which stated that the sender had been hired to "terminate" the recipient, however for $8000 the individual will not carry through on the termination.  The e-mail also indicates that they have been following or watching the victim.  They are also provided instructions not to notify law enforcement or family members, because the employer of the hit-man may be a family member of friend of the victim.
                            
     To date over 500 complaints have been filed with the FBI's International Crime Complaint Center (IC3) since this scam emerged.  The FBI advises this is a scam and recipients should not respond to these e-mails.  Replying sends a signal to the sender that they have reached a live account, and it can also escalate the intimidation.  The underlying message in these scams is to pay the sender or risk the alternative. 

     And there is a twist to this scam, other e-mails are being sent which state that an individual was recently arrested for the murders of several United States and United Kingdom citizens in relation to this matter.  That e-mail goes on to state the recipient's information was found on the subject identifying the recipient as the next victim, and the recipient is asked to reply in order to assist in the investigation.

     The message from the FBI is that recipients of these e-mails should delete them, do NOT respond, and to file a complaint through the IC3.gov website.  Due to the threat of violence in these extortion e-mails, if an individual receives an e-mail that contains personal information that might differentiate their e-mail from the general e-mail spam campaign, the recipient should contact the FBI immediately at 251-438-3674.

Posted 06/28/2007 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ALERTS PUBLIC ABOUT FRAUDULENT SPAM EMAIL
Justice Department Urges Public Not to Respond to Email

     WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice has recently become aware of fraudulent spam e-mail messages claiming to be from DOJ. Based upon complaints from the public, it is believed that the fraudulent messages are addressed "Dear Citizen." The messages are believed to assert that the recipients or their businesses have been the subject of complaints filed with DOJ and also forwarded to the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, such email messages may provide a case number, and state that the complaint was "filled [sic] by Mr. Henry Stewart." A DOJ logo may appear at the top of the email message or in an attached file. Finally, the message may include an attachment that supposedly contains a copy of the complaint and contact information for Mr. Stewart.

     THESE EMAIL MESSAGES ARE A HOAX. DO NOT RESPOND.

     The Department of Justice did not send these unsolicited email messages — and would not send such messages to the public via email. Similar hoaxes have been recently perpetrated in the names of various governmental entities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Internal Revenue Service. Email users should be especially wary of unsolicited warning messages that purport to come from U.S. governmental agencies directing them to click on file attachments or to provide sensitive personal information.

     These spam email messages are bogus and should be immediately deleted. Computers may be put at risk simply by an attempt to examine these messages for signs of fraud. It is possible that by "double-clicking" on attachments to these messages, recipients will cause malicious software – e.g., viruses, keystroke loggers, or other Trojan horse programs – to be launched on their computers.

     Do not open any attachment to such messages. Delete the e-mail. Empty the deleted items folder.

     If you have received this, or a similar hoax, please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov. Within the complaint, please list "DOJ Spoof Email" in the "Business Name" field of the complaint, where complainants are directed to place the name of the business which has victimized them, as this will allow the IC3 to easily retrieve and process these complaints.

     Consumers can learn more about protecting themselves from malicious spyware and bogus e-mails at OnGuardOnline.gov, a Web site created by the Department of Justice in partnership with other federal agencies and the technology industry to help consumers stay safe online. The site features modules on spyware and phishing, at http://onguardonline.gov/spyware.html and http://onguardonline.gov/phishing.html.

     Consumers can also obtain information on Internet safety at

 

Posted 04/02/2007 -  Car Burglary Alert!!

     The Fair Lawn Police Department is issuing a Car Burglary Alert to all residents of Fair Lawn and neighboring communities.  Since January 2007, 26 car burglaries have occurred throughout the borough. Over half of them have occurred during the evening hours in the month of March.  Portable GPS Units are the easy targets of the night time street criminals. 

     Residents are urged to remove all small electronic devices from the inside of their vehicle and secure them out of plain sight.  Police are also warning residents to remove any evidence of possible expensive electronics including chargers and suction cups used to hold GPS units in place. Loose change, wallets, pocket books, brief cases, cell phones, Ipods and lap top computers have all been recently reported stolen out of vehicles.  To make matters more aggravating criminals have smashing expensive car windows many times causing additional damage to the vehicles.

     Police are urging residents to be smart and act responsibly by securing personal belongings in their vehicles.  Burglary and theft are crimes of opportunity and can be deterred with a small amount of prevention.

     Any information and tips can be forwarded to Det Sgt John Annazone and Det. John Ietto of the Fair Lawn Police Department at 201-794-5410.    

Posted 08/15/2006 -  New credit card scam......This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.   In this scam, the callers do not ask for your credit card number (they already have it.) 

     The scam works like this: a person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460.  Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.  This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of your bank).  Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?"  When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account.  This is  a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards.  Before your
next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

     You say "yes".  The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation.  If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.

     You will need to refer to this Control Number.  The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.  "Do you need me to read it again?"

     Here's the important part on how the scam works.  The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card".  He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers".  There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card.  These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.  The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him.  After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card.  Do you have any other questions?"  After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.

     You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number.  Long story - short - What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card.  Don't give it to them.  Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for
verification of their conversation.  If you give the scammers your 3 digit pin number, you think you're receiving a credit.  However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make.

Posted 05/19/2006 - Spoofcard is one of several companies selling phone cards where the caller can type in the number they want the caller ID to display. According to the advertisement, the caller's voice can be enhanced and altered in real time disguising who they are. You can image the type of calls you might receive and the fraudulent caller ID's that could be displayed…..and all for very little money.  Be cautious and give out no information over the phone.

http://www.spoofcard.com/aboutus.asp

Posted 03/15/2006 -  In this scam, the criminal calls your home pretending to be a court official.  The criminal, in a threatening manner, informs you that there is a warrant for your arrest because you failed to show for jury duty.
 
     The caller then claims to be a jury coordinator and attempts to gain your confidence by assisting you with the matter.  If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the criminal asks for your social security number and date of birth so they can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. 
 
     Please do not give out any information to anyone posing as a member of the Jury System. 
 
     This scam is particularly alarming because they use intimidation over the telephone in attempt to force people into providing personal information while pretending they are members of the court system.

June 12, 2003       A local merchant received a phone call from an unknown person who attempted to solicit money by stating that they are collecting money on behalf of the Mary Ann Collura Fund to obtain new bulletproof vests for members of the Fair Lawn Police Department.  No other information was obtained before the caller disconnected.

 

Please be advised that neither the Borough of Fair Lawn, the Fair Lawn Police Department, nor P.B.A. Local #67  solicits funds from residents or local merchants by telephone either for the P.B.A.- general fund or the Mary Ann Collura Memorial Scholarship Fund. None of the monies collected for the Mary Ann Collura Scholarship Fund are used to purchase bulletproof vests. Money for the bulletproof vests comes from a grant received by the Fair Lawn Police Department. The only solicitations residents will receive are by mail and bear the copyrighted P.B.A. symbol with the words” P.B.A Local #67” on it. In addition these mailed solicitations have the return address of P.B.A. Local #67, P.O. Box 276, Fair Lawn, N.J. 07410. Any phone calls received soliciting money for a “Mary Ann Collura Fund” are not authorized by either the Borough of Fair Lawn, the Fair Lawn Police Department or the P.B.A.

 

P.O. Mary Ann Collura was killed in the line of duty on April 17,2003 after being shot multiple times while coming to the aid of a Clifton, N.J. police officer who had chased a suspected drug dealer into the Borough of Fair Lawn. Her killer was killed three days later in a shoot out with Sheriff’s Deputies in Hernando County Florida. P.B.A. Local #67, which represents Fair Lawn Police Officers, has set up a scholarship fund in her memory. This is the only charity in her name authorized by the P.B.A. Those wishing to make donations may mail their contributions to: Mary Ann Collura Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 276, Fair Lawn, N.J. 07410.  

January 24, 2003       There have been a series of thefts of parcels recently in the residential areas near Lyncrest School and Fair Lawn High School.  Unknown person (s) removes the packages from the front entranceways of resident’s homes after they have been placed there by a delivery service. A theft occurred in the 12 block of Morlot Ave on January 3,2003 at approximately 1:35 p.m. Two more thefts occurred on Burbank St. and Fairclough Place on January 16, 2003.The Fairclough Place theft took place at approximately 12:56 p.m. The final theft reported thus far, occurred on Ellis Avenue on January 19,2003. It is unknown precisely what time the thefts on Burbank St. and Ellis Ave. occurred.

     A suspect was observed committing the first theft on Morlot Ave. He was described as a Hispanic male, medium build, 5’10” tall, approximately 30 years old, with short hair.  He was clean-shaven. He took the package and put it into a newer white 4-door vehicle, which may possibly be a Toyota.

    Anyone who observes a person matching the above description in or near a white 4 door automobile should alert the Fair Lawn Police immediately by calling (201) 796-1400. Residents should not approach the suspect or attempt to detain him.

   Any member of the public having additional information concerning any of these thefts is asked to call Det. Sgt. Michael Messina of the Fair Lawn Police Department at (201) 794-5410.  

January 2, 2003       A Fair Lawn resident reported that on 12/28/02 at around 12 noon, she received a phone call from All Season Chimney Maintenance. They offered to clean her chimney for $30.00. She made an appointment for the work to be done on 01/04/03. A couple of hours later, the company called back. They said they had a crew in the area and could do the cleaning that day (12/28/02).  The resident stepped out of the house and saw a red van parked down the street. (which was the cleaning crew)  First the crew cleaned the gas flue, then the boss of the crew told the resident that the chimney was a fire hazard and in violation of Fair Lawn codes. He tried to talk her into having additional work done on the chimney. She declined.

After they left, the resident contacted the Better Business Bureau and was advised that All Season Chimney Maintenance used to be called Three Brothers Chimney Maintenance from Passaic NJ, and that numerous complaints had been made against the company.

The victim described the boss as a Hispanic male, late 20's, wit a short, thin, build. She could only describe the other two workers as one Hispanic male and one white male. 

 

Questions regarding this incident can be directed to Det. John Ietto at the Fair Lawn Police Department's Detective Bureau at 201-794-5410.

May 21, 2002       On May 21st at approximately 2:15 p.m., an elderly resident of Midland Ave. was visited by a white male approximately 35-40 years of age, 5’5’’ tall, medium build with dark hair and eyes. The male was wearing dark clothing and parked a white pick up truck in the resident’s driveway. The male advised the resident that there had been a water main break on Broadway and that he needed to see her water meter. The male told the resident to watch the meter while he went upstairs to run the water. When the resident became suspicious and went upstairs to confront him, the male stated that that she had overpaid her water bill and then asked to see her strongbox. When the resident refused, he left the residence.

It is important to realize that all employees of the Fair Lawn Water Department carry proper identification. Residents who are suspicious should ask to see the employee’s identification and should refuse entry into their homes to anyone claiming to be a water department employee and notify the police immediately at (201)796-1400. Also, the public should be aware that the Water Department does not utilize a white pick up truck.  The Water Department utilizes only Blue pickup trucks that have Fair Lawn Water Department painted on the doors.  The water department also usually does not handle financial transactions at a resident’s home. The only exception is when the customer has contacted the water department to request that a serviceperson come out to test a meter because the resident believes that the meter is not functioning properly. Detective Sergeant Michael Messina is investigating the Midland Ave. incident. Members of the public with any information about this case may contact him at (201)794-5410.