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  • Delaware State Police warn public of cryptocurrency scams

    Delaware State Police warn public of cryptocurrency scams

    Photo: Flickr

    The Delaware State Police are providing a scam advisory surrounding the fraudulent use of cryptocurrency.

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    The Delaware State Police are warning the public of an increase in scams involving the use of cryptocurrency (or “crypto”) ATM machines and quick response (or “QR”) codes. The Delaware State Police have recently seen an increase in scams where the victim is directed to local crypto ATMs and/or stores that authorize QR crypto payments. Criminal perpetrators will leverage victims to send money in these forms during schemes that include government impersonation (DEA, ATF, Sheriff’s office, police agencies), computer spyware (computer takeovers, fraudulent security alerts), and romance scams (creating a false sense of intimacy). Scammers may maintain lengthy contact with the victim through online or telephone communication methods.

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    Given the nature of cryptocurrency, the successful recovery of lost funds can be extremely challenging. Unlike traditional wire or bank transfers, crypto transfers are instantaneous, and once the suspect receives the funds they are typically moved immediately to other accounts that are often based outside of the country.

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    Follow these tips to prevent yourself from falling victim to such scams:

    Never send crypto payment to someone you have never met.
    Remember that no legitimate business or agency will ever request a crypto payment.
    Do not engage unknown callers who claim that you are in trouble or threaten you or a family member with arrest, exposure, or embarrassment if a crypto payment is not made immediately.
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    DSP encourage victims to report these instances and any related fraudulent or suspicious activities to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

  • Scam warning from Delaware State Police

    Scam warning from Delaware State Police

    The Delaware State Police is providing a Scam Alert Advisory. This is a general alert that applies to the entire State of Delaware.

    The Delaware State Police has been investigating multiple incidents in which victims receive phone calls from subjects posing as troopers and are advised they are wanted and/or owe bail money. These subjects are utilizing spoofed, Delaware State Police-issued phone numbers. Many of the victims of these scams have been individuals listed on the Delaware sex offender registry.

    As a reminder, the Delaware State Police will never request payment for fines, traffic tickets, or bail. All these transactions are conducted by the respective court systems and never over the phone. Electronic payments are also never requested via phone for court matters.

    “Spoofing” is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

    The following tips can help you avoid becoming victim to a spoofing scam:

    1. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you do so by accident, hang up.
    2. If a caller (live or recorded) suggests hitting a button to stop receiving calls from them, hang up. This can be a trick to engage you in conversation.
    3. Never give out any sensitive data – for example, account numbers, Social Security Number, passwords or PINs, or your mother’s maiden name.
    4. If a caller claims to be with a legitimate company, call back using the phone number on a statement you have from them, or on their verified, secure website.  This is particularly important if the caller asks you to verify personal information or make a payment.
    5. If you are immediately pressured for information – be cautious. You are not obligated to answer any question asked of you.
    6. Set your own password for your voicemail.  Some voicemail services are set up to automatically allow access to your mailbox if you call in from your own phone. If a scammer spoofs your number, they can access your voicemail if you have not set a password or PIN requirement in place.
    7. Use a call blocking tool (talk to your phone company) or reputable app on your mobile device.  There are different options for different platforms. Do some research and choose the one that makes the most sense for you.
  • Delaware State Police issue warning after scammers caught posing as State Police

    Delaware State Police issue warning after scammers caught posing as State Police

    Delaware State Police are warning the public amid reports of scammers posing as State Police.

    The Delaware State Police Department has been investigating multiple incidents in which victims have been receiving phone calls from individuals posing as troopers and advising they are wanted and owe bail money. These individuals are utilizing spoofed, Delaware State Police issued phone numbers.

    As a reminder, the Delaware State Police will never request payment for fines, traffic tickets or bail. All these transactions are conducted by the respective court systems and never over the phone. Electronic payments are also never requested via phone for court matters.

    “Spoofing” is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

    The following tips can help you avoid becoming victim to a spoofing scam:

    1. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you do so by accident, hang up.
    2. If a caller (live or recorded) suggests hitting a button to stop receiving calls from them, hang up. This can be a trick to engage you in conversation.
    3. Never give out any personally identifiable information – for example, account numbers, Social Security Number, passwords or PINs, or your mother’s maiden name.
    4. If a caller claims to be with a legitimate company, call back using the phone number on a statement you have from them, or on their verified, secure website.  This is particularly important if the caller asks you to verify personal information or make a payment.
    5. If you are immediately pressured for information – be cautious. You are not obligated to answer any question asked of you.
    6. Set your own password for your voicemail.  Some voicemail services are set up to automatically allow access to your mailbox if you call in from your own phone. If a scammer spoofs your number, they can access your messages unless there is a password or PIN requirement in place.
    7. Use a call blocking tool (talk to your phone company) or reputable app on your mobile device.  There are different options for different platforms. Do some research and choose the one that makes the most sense for you.
  • Delaware State Police warn public of phone scam targeting Sussex County

    Delaware State Police warn public of phone scam targeting Sussex County

    Delaware State Police are issuing the following advisory in response to a recent phone scam involving a “spoofed phone number” in Sussex County.

    Earlier this week, Delaware State Police were made aware of two incidents in which individuals received a phone call from what appeared to be from Delaware State Police Troop 5. In one incident, the victim was told they had to pay a fine on a sex offender charge and another was going to be arrested for jury duty fines.

    As a reminder, Delaware State Police will never request payment for fines, traffic tickets or bail. All these transactions are conducted by the respective court systems and never over the phone. Electronic payments are also never requested via phone for court matters.

    Caller ID spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

    The following tips can help you avoid becoming victim to a spoofing scam:

    1. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you do so by accident, hang up.
    2. If a caller (live or recorded) suggests hitting a button to stop receiving calls from them, hang up. This can be a trick to engage you in conversation.
    3. Never give out any personally identifiable information – for example, account numbers, Social Security Number, passwords or PINs, or your mother’s maiden name.
    4. If a caller claims to be with a legitimate company, call back using the phone number on a statement you have from them, or on their verified, secure website.  This is particularly important if the caller asks you to verify personal information or make a payment.
    5. If you are immediately pressured for information – be cautious. You are not obligated to answer any question asked of you.
    6. Set your own password for your voicemail.  Some voicemail services are set up to automatically allow access to your mailbox if you call in from your own phone. If a scammer spoofs your number, they can access your messages unless there is a password or PIN requirement in place.
    7. Use a call blocking tool (talk to your phone company) or reputable app on your mobile device.  There are different options for different platforms. Do some research and choose the one that makes the most sense for you.