Shoreline Police Warn of Phone Scams

Over the past several months, thieves have stolen people's purses or wallets with their debit cards inside. 

The thief also steals the cell phone or may have the victim’s home phone from the checkbook.  The suspect then calls the victim claiming to be the bank fraud department.  He urges them to change the pin number immediately with him.  Unsuspecting victims have changed their pin numbers and thus fallen victim to substantial monetary loss as a result.

Never give anyone your pin number or any other private numbers such as your social security number or bank numbers.   The banks will never ask for this information via phone.  If there was fraudulent activity-they will ask you to come down in person.

Another example is the Drug Enforcement Agent scam which is similar to the granchild scam--asking an elderly person to bail out their grandchild out of jail or something similar.

An individual calls the victim identifying himself as a DEA Agent.  He claims the victim had an item confiscated.  He then tells the victim to get $4500 in cash and wire it through Western Union.  He told the victim not to call or tell anyone or he will be arrested and sent to Washington DC for drug charges.  The suspects call numerous times throughout the day.

The DEA or any law enforcement agency will not call you and ask for money to keep you from getting arrested.   Do not wire any money to these people.  Always verify information prior to sending, transferring or giving money to anyone.