Butler police, US Postal Inspection Service share tips on avoiding scams
A United States Postal Service inspector boiled down his presentation Thursday, March 26, on how seniors can avoid scams to one tip — get a second opinion.
Mark Blow, a U.S. Postal Service inspector, said he’s seen families lose thousands of dollars, and even gold bars, to scammers reaching out through the mail, phone and internet.
He and Butler police Chief Bob O’Neill presented tips for mail scams and examples to seniors at St. Michael’s Social Hall, but the conversation evolved to scams over other mediums as well.
Blow explained many scammers ask for the same things — such as cash, gift cards or banking information — which can be a hint the person is a scammer. He noted they often want it immediately.
“What legitimate place would really want gift cards for payment,” O’Neill joked when discussing the fact scammers frequently ask for payments in gift cards or over third-party payment platforms.
O’Neill encouraged residents to always call 911 if they suspect a scam. He said an officer will come to look for warning signs or call the scammer and attempt to verify.
Mark Wahl, a strategic communications specialist for USPS, used a fishing analogy to explain scammers’ strategy. The more people in a particular area who take the bait, the more scammers will engage in that area.
Scammers often find contact information for their victims online from telemarketer lists or through paid services. Most personal phone numbers and email addresses are available on the internet, O’Neill said.
For scams that play on the victim’s emotions, such as romance scams, scammers may communicate with their victims for months before asking for any money. Blow said he had heard of three instances last month where “Johnny Depp” reached out to victims.
Blow also reported an increase in scams involving grandchildren since the beginning of the year. In those scams, the victim will receive a call saying their grandchild is in the hospital or jail and needs money for care or bail.
Thanks to artificial intelligence, Blow said scammers may even have the grandchild’s name or voice. He said grandparents should always call a family to confirm in these instances.
Once a scammer has a victim, their next step may be to isolate them.
“It’s difficult because it forces you to a place of embarrassment,” O’Neill said. “You don’t tell anybody because you’re embarrassed.”
O’Neill said he investigated such a case earlier in his career in Cranberry Township where a woman lost more than $100,000 over a year to a scammer.
“If it seems weird, it is weird,” O’Neill said.
Tips to avoid scams
• Always ask someone else if potential scams look legit
• Do not send cash through the mail
• Do not respond to “urgent” requests for funds
• If scams involve a family member, verify with that family member
• Do not invite anyone to your home to collect payment
• Do not pay for “prizes”
• Do not open random email or text attachments
