What would YOU say if someone...
- called on the phone and wanted to give you a free gift just for verifying your VISA card number and expiration date?
- came to your door and said they would give you a good price on repairing your roof or resurfacing your driveway because the materials were left over from a big project in your neighborhood?
- solicited for a charitable organization that was not known to you?
- offered you a chance of a lifetime to invest—however the opportunity is right now! No time to reconsider.
What you SHOULD say is NO! to all of the above.
Scams and fraudulent schemes are happening all the time. Even right here in Tigard. The police
are aware of numerous types of scams including pyramid schemes where you send money to a person
at the "top of a list." Many, if not most of this type of offer is illegal. Also citizens are
still receiving information on the "Nigerian Investment Opportunity." Local police agencies
are advising to destroy that mail. It is not necessary to contact local police as the investigation
into that particular fraud scheme is far more global and complex for local law enforcement to
become involved.
Police are asking citizens to be alert. There is a significant increase in fraudulent solicitation over
the telephone, through the mail and also email. Police highly caution everyone about the risks of
providing anyone money, credit card information and other personal and financial information.
Know that the caller or person soliciting will never produce any "gift or winnings" because you
provided them money or credit card information. If it sounds too good to be true it likely is
just that. Numerous popular scams are occurring in our area on a daily basis. Be careful to
recognize some of the tactics criminals use and be prepared to report such occurrences to the
police.
In Oregon, all charitable organizations conducting solicitation are required to register with
the office of the Attorney General. Consider verifying with the Department of Consumer Fraud before
you provide them anything. The telephone number for consumer information is 503-229-5725.
In the event you choose to provide a donation, do not give out credit information over the telephone.
It is strongly suggested you request the necessary materials to donate be sent to you in the mail.
This also allows you the opportunity to verify the agency and contact information. Scam artists
show tendencies to focus their fraudulent actions on elderly citizens; however any age is at
risk of being defrauded.
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Contact us:
Inquiries regarding this information can be directed to the Tigard Police Crime Prevention
Officer, Jim Wolf at 503-718-2561 or jim@tigard-or.gov for
more information.
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