Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BANK SCAM INVOLVING APP ZELLE

The Hollis Police Department has been made aware of several cases involving bank fraud. During the course of these investigations, it has been determined that the scammer uses the same tactic. The victims are contacted by a text message claiming to be from their Bank asking if they have made a purchase, when the victims reply "NO", they send a follow up text message saying someone from their Bank will contact you shortly. The victim is then called by someone claiming to be an employee of their Bank. The scammer uses an app to have the bank’s number appear as the incoming call. They then proceed to ramble off “purchases” for random dollar amounts usually between $50 and $300. The scammer claims they are sending refunds to the victim’s bank account when they are actually having the victim confirm transfers from their bank account to the scammer’s bank account using the payment app Zelle.

During the course of the investigations the Hollis Police Department has learned that several other Hollis residents have fallen victim to this scam and have not reported it. If you are one of these people, we encourage you to please contact the Hollis Police Department and file a report.

If you have any suspicion as to the validity of any call you receive you should hang up and contact your bank directly. If you have any questions you are welcome to contact the Hollis Police Department as well.