Government > Takoma Park Police Department > Scam Alerts

Scam Alerts

Scams are deceptive schemes or fraudulent activities designed to trick individuals or organizations into providing money, personal information, or sensitive data to the scammer. Scams can take various forms, and scammers often use tactics to manipulate victims. Some common types of scams include:

Phishing Scams: Scammers create fake websites or emails that appear to be from legitimate sources to trick individuals into providing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details.

Online Shopping Scams: Fraudulent online sellers may offer products or services at attractive prices but fail to deliver the goods after receiving payment. It’s always a good idea to check to see if it is a legitimate website and read reviews from consumers.

Lottery or Prize Scams: Individuals receive notifications claiming they’ve won a lottery or prize, but to claim it, they are required to pay fees or provide personal information.

Tech Support Scams: Scammers impersonate tech support representatives, claiming there are issues with the victim’s computer or software. They then request payment for unnecessary services or gain remote access to the victim’s device.

Romance Scams: Scammers build romantic relationships with individuals online and eventually request money for various reasons, exploiting the victim’s emotions.

Investment Scams: Individuals are promised high returns on investments that turn out to be fraudulent schemes. The scammer often disappears with the invested funds.

Impersonation Scams: Scammers pose as government officials, law enforcement, or other trusted entities to deceive individuals into complying with their demands, such as paying fake fines.

Job or Employment Scams: Scammers offer fake job opportunities that require upfront fees or personal information.

It’s important to be cautious and skeptical of unsolicited messages or offers, especially those that involve requests for money or personal information. Staying informed about common scams and adopting good cybersecurity practices can help individuals protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent activities.