Lisle Police Review Common Scams

The Lisle Police Department reminds the public to be aware of scams and schemes that are occurring throughout the nation. Your best defense is to know a scam when you see or hear of one. Below are some common scams that are occurring: 

Overpayment Scam
You advertise something you want to sell, and a potential buyer offers to purchase it. The buyer sends a check for more than the asking price and asks you to wire back the difference. You do, but later the buyer’s check bounces.

Money Scams
You are contacted by someone and offered millions of dollars if you will transfer money from a foreign bank to your bank account for safe keeping. When you agree, you are asked to pay huge transfer fees or legal expenses but receive no money.

Prize and Sweepstakes Scam
You are told that you have won a fabulous prize but must buy something or pay taxes up front in order to claim it.

Charity Scams
A natural disaster is dominating the news and you get a letter/email/ phone call asking you to donate funds to help victims. Make sure you research the charity before donating!

Phishing
You get an email or pop- up message that says your account must be updated immediately or it will be closed. You click on a link to a website that looks like it belongs to your bank or other institution and update your account by entering personal identifying information. Soon you discover you are a victim of identity theft.

Work at Home Scams
Advertisements promise big earnings for people who want to work at home. You send a check for training or materials and receive a kit with cheap craft materials and discover there are no customers to pay for your work.

To learn more about scams and schemes, please visit http://www.ncpc.org/ or contact Watch Commander Ron Wilke at 630-271-4224.