Full Notification

Palmdale Sheriff’s Detectives would like to make the public aware of a national scam that has been targeting small businesses as well as local residents. The scam starts off with a phone call from an unknown suspect who is pretending to be an employee of a local utility company. The victim is told their utilities are past due and if they do not update their account the utility will be shut off. The suspect typically will instruct the victim to obtain a “Green Dot” card. A “Green Dot” card is a prepaid personalized Visa or MasterCard with no line of credit associated with it. You just simply “load” cash onto it as many times as you wish. These cards can be bought on-line or at many retail outlets including drug stores.

The suspect instructs the victim to purchase a “Green Dot” card, “load” money onto it, and call back, using a 1-800 number. The suspect will then ask for the card numbers associated with the “Green Dot” card. Once the suspect has the card number the suspect “drains” the account. It is almost like the victim is handing over cash. It is very difficult to trace these individuals because there are no accounts associated with the card and are constantly regenerating 1-800 numbers.

We ask the public to be extremely careful if you receive a phone call asking for any type of payment over the phone. If you have any hesitation, questions or concerns, hang-up the phone and call the utility company directly.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these types of scams please call your local sheriff or police department or visit www.consumer.ftc.gov or www.ic3.gov.

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LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Written by:

Deputy Jodi Wolfe

Palmdale Sheriff’s Station

750 East Avenue Q,

Palmdale, Ca. 93550

(661) 272-2520

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.Palmdale.lasd.org

Twitter: @jwLASD

Facebook.com/Deputy Wolfe