what to know
- New York City Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced the launch of a new initiative to help locals recognize and avoid falling into cybercrime and raise scams.
- The hotline can direct them to services, including 911, for crimes that require a police response.
- NYPD personnel will visit gift card retailers and vulnerable community members throughout the city to educate them on gift card safety.
NEW YORK – On Thursday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced the launch of a new initiative to help locals recognize and avoid falling into cybercrime and raise scams.
According to authorities, deception is a primary tactic used in these crimes, as scammers are able to defraud unsuspecting victims through a variety of online ploys.
The New York City Police Department’s Scam Awareness Campaign is designed to raise awareness of the variety of schemes used by criminals to target and exploit people, steal their money or other property, and cause untold harm to individuals, families and communities.
Included on the ongoing benefits list to help New Yorkers is a new 24-hour information hotline, which can be used to raise next-level crime questions or concerns.
The hotline can direct them to services, including 911, for crimes that require a police response. By collecting and sharing information on these evolving crimes, law enforcement can analyze and neutralize them.
“The New York Police Department is battling this challenging and complex crime scenario,” said Police Commissioner Sewell. “These insidious crimes occur throughout the city and target some of our most vulnerable communities, including our immigrant, elderly and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. But the NYPD is always vigilant and we ask the public to join us in stopping these scams and holding those behind them fully accountable. “
While traditional crime still exists and some scams can still be perpetrated in person, the digital threat is on the rise, according to the police. Criminals have incorporated digital passages into their scams, such as establishing initial contact via email, phone, text message, or social media. In some of the more common forms of scam, scammers try to create urgency around a loved one by requiring that money be sent, transferred, or delivered via gift cards. Others try to gain the victim’s trust or let their guard down to obtain personal information by telling them, for example, that they have won and need to claim a large cash prize.
In an effort to reduce the number of scams occurring throughout the city, the NYPD encourages people to pay attention to suspicious contacts from anyone who claims to be: part of a government agency, authority, or government of public service; a debt collector; a representative of a bank or retail company; or a contact from a dating app or website.
“Please note that no legitimate business or government agency will require you to purchase or send gift cards to pay a bill or settle a debt,” said Commissioner Sewell. “If you have any doubts
or someone you know may be the victim of a scam, call our information hotline. To report a crime, call the emergency health services or local police station. Help is always available “.
The NYPD is working with all of its government partners, community groups and retailers throughout New York City to publish and distribute flyers with information on this awareness and prevention campaign and to provide more details on the scams themselves. Additionally, NYPD personnel will visit gift card retailers and vulnerable community members throughout the city to educate them on gift card safety.
Among the safety tips for New Yorkers, directly from the NYPD: do not answer unknown calls or messages; use official websites to submit personal information; do not allow others to use your mobile phone; Pay attention to your surroundings; consult friends and family about suspected scams; and use gift cards only for purchases, never for any other type of payment.
