Dear Residents,
Please be advised our local police have asked us to report to you on a recent, big increase in phone and email scams targeting residents, especially seniors.
The two major scams seem to be requests for money and mortgage frauds.
1) Requests for money:
o One common scenario is a plea for assistance from, as an example, friend of a grandchild who has been arrested and needs bail money.
o Or from someone pretending to be an attorney for the person in need.
o Scams are often also related to impersonation of government agencies and utilities and for prize winners and kidnapped family members.
o According to Port Washington Police Chief James Salerno, a legitimate bail or other request would neverask for monies to be sent by:
§ Green Dot MoneyPak
§ MoneyGram
§ Western Union
§ Other prepaid card / money transfer company
o Please note, bail is almost always paid directly to a court or correctional facility and not to an attorney or other representative.
2) Mortgage and deed scams offering “loan modifications” (to lower interest rates) are another large source of fraud.
o No one should ever sign over their deed except to a direct representative of YOUR mortgage provider.
o Other related mortgage fraud tips:
§ Beware of anyone seeking to charge you in advance for mortgage modification services. In most cases, this is illegal.
· To verify a company claiming to be affiliated with “HAMP” or the federal government, contact “HOPE” hotline 1-888-995-4673.
· To verify any mortgage company or broker you can use the website: www.NMLSconsumeracces.org or www.DFS.NY.GOV
3) Please report any attempted fraud to the police:
o Port Washington Police 516-883 – 0500
o Sands Point Police 516-883-3100
o Nassau County Police 516-573-6600
4) Please pass this on to anyone who may not be receiving it, especially seniors.
Thank you,
Peter Forman
Commissioner
Port Washington-Manhasset Office of Emergency Management