Scotch Plains Police Department — Community Safety Alert

The Scotch Plains Police Department is reminding residents to remain vigilant regarding recent increases in financial scams targeting residents by telephone and ongoing package thefts.

Scammers are calling residents pretending to represent banks, financial institutions, government agencies, or law enforcement, requesting debit cards, cash, checks, account information, passwords, PINs, and other sensitive information. Some scams have involved a supposed courier being sent directly to a resident's home to collect debit cards, cash, or checks. The Police Department emphasizes that banks will not send a courier to collect a debit card, cash, or checks.

When receiving suspicious calls regarding finances, residents should not provide personal or financial information over the phone, should not give debit cards, cash, checks, or valuables to anyone at their home, and should not rely on phone numbers provided by callers. Instead, residents should hang up and contact their financial institution directly using official telephone numbers or visit their local bank branch in person.

Package Theft Prevention

For package deliveries, residents can take simple precautions including tracking deliveries, utilizing secure delivery locations, requesting signature confirmation for valuable items, installing doorbell or security cameras, or asking a trusted neighbor to retrieve packages when away.

General Safety Principle

If something does not feel right, residents are advised to stop, hang up, and verify information independently.

Reporting Scams and Thefts

Those who believe they have been victims of scams or package theft, or who observe suspicious activity, should contact the Scotch Plains Police Department at (908) 322-7100. For emergencies or crimes in progress, call 911.

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Photo Credit: Township of Scotch Plains, New Jersey

FAQ

Q: What financial scams are residents reporting?
A: Scammers are calling residents pretending to represent banks, financial institutions, government agencies, or law enforcement, requesting debit cards, cash, checks, account information, passwords, PINs, and other sensitive information.

Q: Will my bank send someone to my home to collect a debit card?
A: No. Banks will not send a courier to collect a debit card, cash, or checks. This is a sign of a scam.

Q: What should I do if I receive a suspicious call about finances?
A: Do not provide personal or financial information over the phone. Do not give debit cards, cash, checks, or valuables to anyone at your home. Hang up and contact your financial institution directly using official phone numbers or visit your local bank branch in person.

Q: Should I trust phone numbers provided by callers?
A: No. Do not rely on phone numbers provided by callers. Hang up and contact your financial institution using an official phone number you know is legitimate.

Q: How can I prevent package theft?
A: Track deliveries, utilize secure delivery locations, request signature confirmation for valuable items, install doorbell or security cameras, or ask a trusted neighbor to retrieve packages when you are away.

Q: What should I do if something feels suspicious?
A: Stop, hang up, and verify information independently before acting on any request.

Q: What should I do if I believe I have been scammed?
A: Contact the Scotch Plains Police Department at (908) 322-7100 to report the scam.

Q: How do I report package theft?
A: Contact the Scotch Plains Police Department at (908) 322-7100 to report package theft or suspicious activity.

Q: What should I do in an emergency?
A: Call 911 for emergencies or crimes in progress.