Full Notification

Scammers are once again targeting Moraga residents. While many of you have not fallen for scam letters or calls, during the past week, we have met two victims who were scammed, costing thousands of dollars. These scammers can be very clever and convincing. They play on your fear, your concern for loved ones and your holiday emotions. We need to be smarter than they are and not be duped into giving up our information or hard-earned money.

Remember, neither the Police, the Courts, computer companies nor the IRS will have you pay money over the phone or by using Western Union, Green Dot cards, gift cards or other medium. If you want to make a donation to a worthy cause, then go to their website or to the charity and make the donation so you can verify where it is going. If you donate money to a caller, you are providing financial information to an unknown person and you don’t know where it will end up. You can report scams to www.ftc.gov.

If you are getting a suspicious call and you are not sure whether or not to believe it – call the Police…let us help you figure it out (Moraga Police Dispatch - 925-284-5010). Call before you send money. We have stopped scams in progress and saved people from losing money.

Here are some of the common scams that we have told you about in the past:

IRS – You are told you owe money; if you don’t pay – the police will be sent directly to your house. They offer to help you make payment arrangements. During another call, the scammer said that an audit revealed you are due to receive a refund, which could be transferred immediately if you provide your bank account number. You would not have received a refund…your account would have been cleaned out. Simply, hang up on these people - they are crooks!. Do not call the number back. If you are truly concerned, look up the number for the local IRS office and contact them directly.

Computer – You are told that someone has hacked into your computer and possibly is using your credit card. They threaten to destroy all of your files and photos, even those stored in the Cloud. If you give them money, they will track it down, fix it and get your money back. This scam just cost someone in Moraga over $5000.

Extortion Letters - Letters are being sent that tell you the writer knows about some dark secret or something you did. Unless you pay an amount of money via a bitcoin transaction, your embarrassing secret will be revealed. A number of these letters have been sent to Moraga addresses in the past month. We all know there is no secret that someone knows about; they are preying upon your fear of the unknown. Laugh about it, shred the letter and don't worry about it. It is a scam!

E-Mails – Simply, there is no Nigerian Lottery, no one you have never met has died and left millions in trust that are yours after you supply your personal information, and banks do not send you an e-mail to verify your PIN or account number. When things appear to be too good to be true, they are. Do not allow people to prey upon your wishes for wealth. If you get an e-mail from a bank, do not click on the link. Either telephone or e-mail the bank using information that you obtain. Do not use the numbers listed on the e-mail or linked on the e-mail. Do not provide your personal or banking information.

Fake Family Member – This one tugs on your heart strings. You receive a call from someone who identifies themselves as a relative and tells you they are in jail or in the hospital and need money. They say they are embarrassed and ask you not to tell their parents or others who are close to them. Hang up and call your relative. If you do not have their direct number, contact a family member who does. If they are truly in trouble, that is when families come together to help each other. Chances are, your family member will answer their telephone and all will be well.

Law Enforcement Scam – You are told you missed jury duty, have outstanding parking citations or there is warrant out for your arrest and you need to pay the bail to avoid being arrested by the police who are on the way to your house. They may tell you that Chief King or another officer authorized it, after looking up information about the Moraga Police on the Internet. Law enforcement does not demand money over the phone, ask you to wire funds or use money or gift cards. Simply hang up on these people.

Often times, the best way to prevent being scammed is to not answer calls from unknown or unfamiliar telephone numbers. Verify with whom you are talking by hanging up and call back to a known telephone number. Additionally, never supply personal information (full name, date of birth, social security number, account numbers, etc.) over the phone.

Please contact the Moraga Police Department at 925-888-7055 with any questions. Again, if you have a question about a suspicious call, please contact the Police and ask for help. We have stopped scams in progress and saved people thousands of dollars. If you are targeted, please let us help you too.