Thousand Oaks City Watch Update - October 1st

Here is the latest "City Watch" alert from Deputy Jim DeSoto of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you are interested in receiving these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

Fraud Fighters,

Great job! I have received many e-mails, phone calls, and mail from you, the well-prepared warriors armed with knowledge to combat all those phony and preposterous prevaricators. Many of you have been recipients from identity theft criminals who have tried through e-mails, telephone calls, and postal mailings to obtain your personal identification or cheat you out of your money.

The creative ways and ingenuity employed by these dishonest and unscrupulous offenders continue to evolve. On a recent telephone call, the criminal began the con by stating the conversation was going to be recorded for “legal purposes” (in order to drop your guard and yet sound official). The crook presented himself as a representative of a legal firm and stated he was representing many clients regarding a class action lawsuit against a credit card company (to get your interest and hook you into the scam). The potential victim had, at one time, that particular credit card. The big mistake the criminal made was that he had inaccurate but close information regarding the potential victim’s information (social security number and credit card number). A good response was made by the potential victim who questioned the caller and asked for a call back phone number, among other requests As you know it, the caller knew the ‘jig was up’ and immediately hung-up the phone.

A common scam that just will not go away is the lottery swindle that we all get in the mail. But guess what? This ruse works and works effectively because these form letters and big dollar amount checks still continue to inundate the mailboxes. The con artists send a congratulatory letter on your winnings and all you have to do cash-in an attached check, send a check back to the ‘business,’ or make a wire transfer of money in order to receive your winnings from a lottery that you never heard of or entered. The mailing will have a telephone number to call and if you do call that number, chances are you will never speak with anyone or whomever answers will attempt to get personal information from you in order to “verify” that you are the rightful claimant of the lottery. Throw away the letter!

I am sure many of you also receive e-mailings from very official looking mailings that purport to be from your bank, e-bay, a credit company, or any other large, well-known institution. Never open any attachments, call the number listed on the e-mail, or respond to e-mailings. If you know the e-mail is fraudulent from looking at your ‘in-box,’ delete the e-mail. If you open it and realize the e-mail if suspicious, delete it. If you are unsure whether the e-mail if legitimate, get out the phone book and call business to inquire about the e-mail. Remember that no legitimate business or person will ask for any of your personal identification or information.

Remain vigilant and continue combating the criminals,

Your partner, Jim (DeSoto, TOPD Deputy)