SCAM ALERT — NO REAL COMPANY WILL ASK YOU TO PAY A BILL OR DEBT IN BITCOIN OR CRYPTOCURRENCY.
PROTECTING OUR SENIORS FROM CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS
The Brookhaven Police Department wants to ensure our residents stay safe from increasingly sophisticated financial crimes. Scammers are currently targeting the senior community by creating a false sense of urgency and demanding untraceable payments.
The “Warrant” Scam
You may receive a call claiming there is an active warrant for your arrest or a legal issue that requires immediate payment. The Police, Sheriff’s Department, and US Marshals will never call you to request money to resolve a warrant. We do not accept cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers for any official business.
Investment Frauds
Be wary of “guaranteed” investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency. These scammers are often patient, building a relationship over weeks or months to gain your trust.
- Fact: Cryptocurrency is not backed by any government or bank.
- Fact: Once you transfer crypto, it is like handing over cash; there is no way to “charge back” or recover the funds once they are sent.
Protect Yourself: STOP, HANG UP, and CALL
- STOP: Scammers want you to act fast so you don’t have time to think.
- HANG UP: If a caller makes threats or demands crypto, end the call immediately.
- CALL: Contact the Brookhaven Police Department directly at our non-emergency line, 610-876-6142 to verify any claims made by a caller. If the call is after hours or on the weekend, call 911 and ask to have a police officer call you back.
Remember: If an offer or a “legal fix” appears too good (or too strange) to be true, it is almost certainly a scam.
[Click here for more information from the FTC on spotting scams.]