As we get close to wrapping up National Consumer Protection Week, we wanted to take a second to highlight some of the most common fraud trends that we see in Perkasie and Sellersville Boroughs. One of the most common and often most financially destructive forms of fraud we witness is romance scams. These scams include individuals who pose as a romantic interest and build a relationship over an extended period of time which results in a person willingly providing money for gifts, "emergencies", and other needs as portrayed by the scammer. Another common form of scam we are currently seeing reported is the warrant scheme. During this form of fraud, the scammer contacts an individual and advises them that there is a warrant out for their arrest from the sheriff's office or other local, state, or federal law enforcement authority. The individual utilizes fear tactics and urgency to convince the victim that the only way they can avoid going to jail is by paying money, often through gift cards or cryptocurrency, to eliminate the warrant for their arrest. The third type of fraud we are seeing regularly is the false product scam. Scammers will post on Facebook marketplace or other commonly used online marketplaces saying that they are offering a rental apartment or selling a car, phone, or other item and either requiring a down payment in advance or requesting payment to be made prior to accepting the item in person. Once payment is received, the scammer will cease all contact and it often becomes apparent that the product either did not exist, or was being portrayed falsely. This leaves the victim out of money while receiving no item in return. 

These three examples are only a sample of the ever changing world of fraud and identity theft in current times. In law enforcement we are consistently being informed of new and highly advanced methods of fraud which have shown the importance of critical steps to both monitor and protect your credit, bank accounts, and identity. Basic steps like putting alerts on your credit and debit accounts, taking advantage of your yearly free credit reports, and changing passwords on financial accounts can make a big difference in protecting yourself and your loved ones from financial fraud. If you or someone you knew were a victim of fraud in Perkasie or Sellersville boroughs, contact our department to make a report and receive additional guidance for your unique situation!

To find additional information about responding to fraud, visit https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed