Full Notification

      The Janesville Police Department is warning the community about an increase in fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, leading to large financial losses. These scams are using fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly and secretly.
      Scammers are pretending to be government agents, bank employees, or technical support professionals. They use convincing stories and scare tactics to manipulate victims. They often tell the victims their bank accounts have been hacked, their money is at risk, or their personal computer has been compromised. Victims have been tricked into withdrawing or transferring large sums of money, sometimes losing their entire savings.
 
Common Scam Tactics Include:
 

• Phone Scams Involving Banking Instructions:

Scammers call victims claiming that their bank accounts have been hacked or are under investigation. They instruct victims to make multiple withdrawals, often under $10,000, to avoid “bank alerts,” and to move the funds into a “safe” account controlled by the scammer. Although each transaction may appear small, victims are often directed to complete several withdrawals or transfers over a short period, resulting in the loss of large sums of money. In some cases, the scammers coach victims to lie to bank tellers if questioned about the purpose of the withdrawals. They tell them to say the funds are for a construction project, a family gift, or a personal purchase. This manipulation isolates victims from the very professionals trained to recognize fraud.

• Gold or Cryptocurrency Purchases:

Scammers convince victims to buy gold or cryptocurrency as part of a fake “investigation” or “security measure.” Once purchased, victims are told specific instructions on how to send or transfer these assets to the scammer.

• Cash-by-Mail Scams:

In some cases, scammers instruct victims to withdraw cash and send it through the mail, claiming it is part of a “federal investigation” or that it will be “secured for safekeeping.” Victims are told to wrap the money in paper or hide it within a package to avoid detection during the sending process. Once the mail is received by the scammer, the cash is nearly impossible to recover.

• Computer Hacking and Tech Support Scams:

Victims may see a pop-up alert on their personal computer claiming it has been “infected with a virus.” The message urges them to call a phone number for help. When the victim calls, the scammer poses as a representative from a legitimate technology company and requests remote access to the computer. Once connected, they falsely claim serious issues exist and demand immediate payment for “repairs” or “security services.” In some cases, they threaten to freeze accounts or delete files if payment is not made.
 
      The Janesville Police Department urges residents to speak with elderly family members, friends, and neighbors about these scams. Awareness and early conversations are key to prevention.
      Remind your loved ones never to send cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to anyone they do not personally know or have not met in person. If someone pressures them to act immediately or to keep information secret, they should hang up right away. Never share personal, financial, or computer information over the phone or online.
      If a pop-up message appears on their personal computer claiming there is a problem, they should close the browser immediately and contact a trusted computer technician for help. Always verify requests by contacting their bank, service provider, or law enforcement directly using official phone numbers, not the ones provided by the caller or message.
      If ever unsure, call a trusted family member or the Janesville Police Department at (608) 755-3100 before taking any action. The Janesville Police Department continues to actively investigate these scams and works closely with local banks, postal inspectors, and community organizations to protect residents from financial exploitation.
      If you or someone you know has been contacted by a potential scammer or may have already sent money, contact the Janesville Police Department immediately at (608) 755-3100.
 
 
 

By: Lt. Jennifer Seeger #2249

Date: 10/06/25