The North Royalton Police Department (NRPD) recently posted a new fraud scheme that has been circulating of late. They recommend that residents be alerted to the circumstance.
According to the NRPD post, “a very convincing person calls up an unsuspecting victim and advises them that there is suspicious activity on their ATM card/account. The suspect has some of the person’s account information, which lends an air of credibility to their scheme. They advise that they will suspend the person’s card and issue new ones. A few days later someone else calls back and asks if they have gotten the new cards, as there is more suspicious activity. The new cards have not arrived (and never will). The scammers then request that the victim mail back both the old and new cards to expedite the process. The victim is told to put the cards in their mailbox. A short time later the caller asks if the mail had been picked up yet. It has not. Again, to expedite the process, the “bank” says they will send out a courier to pick up the cards. A male arrives shortly thereafter and meets with the victim to pick up the cards. You know the rest of the story.”
The NRPD advises that any time someone unknown tries to rush a person into doing something that is related to money or personal information, a red flag should be waving for that person to stop what they are doing, especially if the conversation takes place at night, on the weekends, or during a holiday. They advise to “slow things down. It can wait until the bank is open. Ask who they are specifically, where they work, what bank branch, who is your supervisor, etc. Give them NO INFORMATION.” They add, “call your local bank branch or the bank’s 1-800 number after you have looked it up yourself. Do not trust any numbers that they give you. If someone arrives at your house, take a photo of them with your cell phone camera, their vehicle, and most importantly, their license plate. As we’ve said before, You CANNOT pay your overdue utility bill with songs (iTunes Gift Cards). Indeed, no legitimate business takes gift cards as payment for debts.”
They also highlighted some other popular scams:
• A Prince from Namibia/Wakanda/Zanzibar DOES NOT need your assistance transferring money into this country.
• Your grandchild/ child/ nephew IS NOT in a foreign jail and needs bail money wired to them.
• As a US citizen, you CANNOT win a foreign lottery (don’t send money to cover taxes).
• Any time anyone unknown to you wants you to wire money IT’S A SCAM.
• If someone tells you your computer has been hacked, DO NOT GIVE them remote access to your computer or passwords.
• After major disasters there is an increase in fraudulent charities being set up. Everyone wants to help, but do a little research before committing any money and make sure it’s going to someplace that will help people.
The Cuyahoga County Consumer Affairs Division also adds that if a resident receives a call that they are about to be arrested for missing jury duty, or get a call, text or email telling them that they are about to be arrested for anything, it is a scam. If someone comes to the door threatening to shut off utilities if the resident does not pay, it’s a scam. “Utilities do not make surprise calls regarding shut offs,” according to Consumer Affairs officials. They add, “never give any account or personal information to someone who calls or knocks on your door. Do not show your bills to solicitors of any kind.”
Report suspicious calls and emails to Scam Squad at 216-443-SCAM (7226) or online at cuyahogacounty.us/scamsquad.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer