Scammers recently called at least one local hotel and asked to be transferred to the phone lines of various rooms. When a guest would answer, the scammer would tell the guest that they were the front desk clerk and they were having trouble with the guest’s credit card and could they please confirm the card number and security code again? Sometimes when transferring calls from these types of phone systems, the call will appear to be coming from the front desk. Also the guest rooms, in some cases, lack caller ID. In this case, caller ID would have revealed the call coming from a Huntsville, Alabama, area code.
Variations of this scam have been seen around the country, according to Detective Steve Williams, but this serves as another reminder to take care with divulging personal information to anyone who contacts you, whether it be by phone, over the internet or in person.
According to Eugene Police crime prevention specialist, Tod Schneider, “If a stranger contacts you offering anything that would require you to share such information, your safest move is to first check with the police. Scams may involve anything from roof repair or driveway sealant to get rich quick schemes, foreign lotteries, and distant relatives in dire circumstances or Nigerian widows wanting you to manage their fortune. What do they have in common? A goal of fleecing you for everything you’ve got.” Schneider also reminded all, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam.”
To report crimes, or suspicious activity in progress, call Eugene Police dispatch at 541-682-5111.
For more crime prevention information, including tips on frauds, scams and identity theft, visit our website at www.eugenepolice.com or call 541-682-5137.