Full Notification

Fraud Alert
The Cranbury Township Police Department has seen an increase in fraud incidents affecting our residents. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and be cautious of anyone requesting payment through cash, gold bars, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
No legitimate business, government agency, or financial institution will send a courier to collect cash, gold bars, or gift cards from your home. Scammers often instruct victims to meet a courier and provide a password to complete the exchange. If this happens, it is a scam.
Common Scam Warning Signs

• High-pressure tactics: Scammers demand immediate action or threaten arrest, legal action, or financial consequences. They may also instruct you not to tell anyone about the situation. This is a major red flag.
• Unusual payment requests: Be suspicious of anyone requesting payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash, or wire transfer.
• Spoofed caller ID: Scammers can make their phone number appear to be from a government agency, bank, or local business.
• Unsolicited contact: Be wary of unexpected phone calls, emails, text messages, or computer pop-up warnings offering technical support or claiming your accounts have been compromised. Never allow an unsolicited individual remote access to your computer or mobile device.

How to Protect Yourself

• Never share your Social Security number, Medicare information, banking information, passwords, or other personal data with unsolicited callers.
• If someone claims to represent your bank, a government agency, or another organization, hang up and call the organization directly using a trusted phone number from an official website or statement.
• Never allow strangers to remotely access your computer or phone.
• If someone claims a family member is in an emergency and needs money immediately, contact that family member or another relative directly to verify the situation before taking any action.

If You Believe You Have Been Scammed

• Contact your bank or financial institution immediately to stop payments, secure your accounts, and report any unauthorized transactions.
• Report elder financial fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
• Notify the Cranbury Township Police Department and file a police report.

If something doesn't feel right or you are not completely confident that a request is legitimate, do not make any payment. Instead, speak with a trusted family member or friend, or contact the Cranbury Township Police Department. An officer will be happy to assist you in determining whether the situation is legitimate and help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
 
 

Instructions:

Do not fall victim to a scam. Consult with a family member, friend, or Cranbury Police if unsure about a situation.