FAIR LAWN, NJ – The Fair Lawn Police Department is warning residents of a recent increase in phone scams, where fraudsters pose as reputable companies to extract money and personal information.
Scammers have been employing “spoofing” techniques to manipulate caller ID systems, making it appear as though calls are coming from legitimate entities such as Verizon or PSE&G. They often possess some level of personal information about their targets, likely obtained from public online sources. One prevalent scam involves the false claim of unauthorized iPhone orders through Verizon, where the scammer then demands money to cancel the supposed orders.
Authorities emphasize that major corporations, the IRS, and banks will never solicit payments via Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, or request payments through gift cards over the phone. Residents are urged to verify any suspicious calls by contacting the official customer service numbers found on their bills, official apps, or through a secure Google search. The police department strongly advises against sharing personal information over the phone and making payments requested in such a manner.
The community is encouraged to inform friends and family, particularly those not active on social media, to prevent them from falling victim to these scams. Sharing this information widely can help protect others from these deceitful tactics.