Monroe Police: Be aware of these scams

MONROE — Monroe Police are encouraging residents to take a moment to become familiar with a list of various scams that have been reported. The scams are associated with MoneyPak Greendot cards, but they can be associated with any type of debit cards, credit cards, money orders, or any other form of payment.
Utility Scam:
The criminal claims that your utility bill is overdue. They threaten to shut off your electricity, gas, or other utilities if you don’t pay immediately.
Arrest Warrant Scam:
The criminal claims that there is a warrant for your arrest. Common reasons are failure to appear for jury duty and unpaid parking tickets. They may also claim that there is a warrant for the arrest of a friend or family member. They may threaten incarceration or increased fines if payment is not made immediately
Kidnapping Scam:
The criminal claims that they have kidnapped a member of your family. They threaten physical harm to that person if payment is not made immediately.
Tax Scam:
The criminal claims that you owe taxes and payment must be made using MoneyPak. They may also threaten incarceration or additional financial penalties if the payment is not made.
E-Commerce Scam:
The criminal is selling something online and requests MoneyPak as the form of payment. The item you purchased never arrives.
Loan Scam:
The criminal claims that you are pre-approved for a loan, but you need to pay upfront fees in order to qualify for the loan and/or make the first two payments with a MoneyPak.
Bail Scam:
The criminal claims that your friend or family member is in jail, or in trouble while travelling, and asks you to send them cash with a MoneyPak.
Bill Payment Scam:
The criminal claims that your service will be shut off if you don’t pay a bill using MoneyPak. Alternatively, they claim to offer a promotion, and you can enter by giving them a MoneyPak number.
Lottery Scam:
The criminal claims that you have won the lottery. To claim your money, you must pay fees or taxes using MoneyPak.
FBI Computer Virus Scam:
A notice on your computer states the FBI has locked your device due to criminal internet activity, and that you must make a payment using MoneyPak. Even if you pay, they will not unlock your computer.
Criminal Charges Scam:
The criminal claims that you’re under investigation by law enforcement, and if you don’t pay with a MoneyPak, charges will be filed against you, resulting in incarceration.
Check Cashing Scam:
You receive a check in the mail along with a letter that asks that you cash the check and send some of the proceeds back via MoneyPak. The check then bounces and the criminal does not return the funds that they received via MoneyPak.
Romance Scam:
The criminal creates a fake profile on a dating site. They start a conversation with you, and eventually say they need a MoneyPak to help them move.
Job Scam:
The criminal sends you a job offer, and claims that he needs a MoneyPak number to pay for the background check, work uniform, etc.
If anyone recieves phone calls related to these scams or if someone shows up at your front door claiming to be from a company such as Orange and Rockland, Monreo Police strongly urge that they call the Monroe Police Department immediately at 782-8644.
Do not send anyone money or give personal information to anyone until you confirm that it is not a scam or fraud.