SOME TIPS FOR YOUR SAFETY

NEW PayPal Phishing scheme

A site out of Australia has been sending out emails to "update" your account or it will stop working. This is NOT a legitimate PayPal website. Here is a sample of the email you will receive:

"Dear valued PayPal member:  

Identity protection matters. And PayPal works day and night to help keep your identity safe. That's why it has come to our attention that your PayPal account information needs to be updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account and to reduce the instance of fraud on our website. If you could take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update your personal records you will not run into any future problems with the online service.
 

However, failure to update your records will result in account suspension.
 

Once you have updated your account records, your PayPal session will not be interrupted and will continue as normal.

To login to your PayPal account and update your records click on the following link: 

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_login-submit  <---THIS LINK IS DISABLED HERE ON OUR WEBSITE

Thank You for using PayPal! 

The PayPal Team"

DO NOT Click onto the LINK in the email. It will ask you to supply your password and account log-on and steal your information.

Tips to Avoid Identity Fraud

• The next time you order checks have your initials and last name put on them instead of including your first name. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your name with just your initials or with your first and middle names. Your bank will know.

• Do not sign the back of credit cards. Instead write "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

• When paying a credit card bill, DO NOT put your full account number on the for line. Instead put the last four numbers. The company knows your full account number. Anyone touching the check throughout the handling process will not.

• DO NOT put your home number on your checks. Use a business number instead. If you have a PO BOX use that instead of your home address. NEVER PUT YOUR SSI# on a check.

• Photocopy the contents of your wallet and keep the copies in a safe place. If your wallet is stolen you will have the important customer service numbers to notify. Do not travel with the copies. Have a designated person know where the copies are kept and call them in the event your wallet is stolen while you are away.

• Remember to file a police report immediately no matter where you are.

In the event your wallet is stolen remember to notify:

1. Equifax - 1-800-525-6285

2. Experian - 1-888-397-3742

3. Trans Union - 1-800-680-7289

4. Social Security (fraud line) - 1-800-269-0271

ICE - In Case of Emergency

A tip for your safety in an emergency.

A new campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their cell phone's memory under the heading ICE (in Case of Emergency), has rapidly spread throughout the world. In light of the terrorist attacks throughout the world an idea came about from a Paramedic of the East Anglian Ambulance Service named Bob Brotchie and was launched in May of this year. By using the ICE advice your cell phone will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative, which could be vital in a life or death situation. The way it works is in the phone's  address book you enter a contact person you would like to have notified in an emergency. You enter the information under the word "ICE" and the name and telephone number of the person you wish to be contacted. For more than one contact name use ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, ect.

Visa/MasterCard scam:

The scam works like this: Person calling says, "this is  <name>, and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA.  My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.  This would be on your VISA card which was issued   by <name> bank.  Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account.  This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards.  Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"  You say "yes".  The caller continues...  "I will be starting a Fraud investigation.  If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.  You will need to refer to this Control #"   The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.  "Do you need me to read  it again?"    

 Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. 

 The caller then says, "he needs to verify you are in possession of your card".  He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers.  There are 7 numbers;  the first 4 are your card number, the next 3 are the 'Security Numbers' that verify you are in possession of the card.   These are the numbers you use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.  Read me the 3 numbers".  After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say ,"That is correct.  I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card.  Do you have any other questions?"  After you say No, the caller then Thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up. What the scammers wants is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them.  Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card direct.  The real VISA states that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card!   If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit.  However, by the time you get your statement, you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost to late and/or harder to actually file a fraud report. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number.  The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charge on on our card.

PLEASE BE AWARE: NEVER GIVE OUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION WITHOUT VERIFYING IT FIRST! 

Other Useful Tips to Prevent Crime
 

• Now is the time when scams against seniors are perpetrated by people looking to take advantage of the elderly. Be aware of people coming to your door to "fix" that leaky roof or "seal" the driveway. Scammers claim that they are handymen and claim certain small jobs need fixing. Get references or ask for some type of business credentials before have any work completed. The scam of sealing the driveway has been done using a black tar-like substance that washes off at the first heavy rain. The Police Department urges residents "if it seems too good to be true" it probably is, be aware!!

• Several residents have notified the police department that they have received phone calls from people soliciting  money for the Old Tappan Police Department. We are currently NOT soliciting donations over the phone. If you receive a call from this unknown group or have in the past received a call notify us immediately. They have claimed to be accepting donations for new bulletproof vests. This is not true. If in the future we are soliciting money from our residents we will notify you through this web site or in the US mail.
• Everyone should be aware of possible criminal activity that can occur during the Holiday Season. The Police Department wants every resident to be aware of anything "out of the ordinary" and report it to us as soon as possible.
• Residents should be aware of recent car burglaries occurring in neighboring towns. It is believed that a person or persons have been targeting unlocked vehicles is the area. Items within the car were removed during the night when the perpetrators found a crime of opportunity in the unlocked car doors. We are urging all residents to LOCK your car doors when the vehicle is parked in front of your house or in the driveway. The police department urges residents to report any suspicious activity as soon as possible by calling (201) 664-1221.
• Recent scams against seniors and the elderly have been occurring throughout the county and the Old Tappan Police Department wants to make all residents aware of what's occurring. It appears that older homeowners and seniors are approached by a small group (usually 2-3 females and a male driver that remains in the car) who pose as tree service workers, roof repairers, women in need of help, water meter readers or the like. They attempt to gain access to the home and attempt to distract the homeowner by asking for a drink of water, use the bathroom, ect. Once distracted the perpetrators look for items throughout the home (money, jewelry, ect.) The scammers use SUV type vehicles, vans, minivans or pickup trucks to drive around and canvass the area looking for older type houses. The  houses they target may be in need of a new driveway, roof, or windows. The vehicles used by the scammers are either leased or rented with DELAWARE, ILLINOIS or NEW JERSEY license plates. Its been reported that the license plates were covered with a rag or some other item to conceal it in some manner. They also use Nextel radios or similar "walkie-talkie" radios. They use fake ID's and uniforms to gain entrance to the house.
• The police department urges residents to report any suspicious looking activity or any unusual vehicles in the neighborhood as soon as possible by calling (201) 664-1221 or in an emergency 911.

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