Scam calls target Buffalo’s businesses

Scam calls cost Americans $30 billion in 2021. Many times the scammers behind the calls use scare tactics and manipulation to target seniors in communities. 

Many scammers have gained access to account  information and former addresses. The scammer then asks for payment on old accounts, claiming the victim has an old debt and threatening legal action should the individual refuse to pay. 

Scammers also impersonate law enforcement and tell victims that a warrant for their arrest has been issued, but that warrant will go away if the victim pays a fine.  

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program, Buffalo Police Chief Sean Bissett informed listeners of a scam that targeted the businesses in Buffalo. 

The threat of legal action or arrest was convincing enough to scam one victim into paying approximately $1,400. That money is not likely to be recovered. Scammers use “ghost numbers”, a technique that utilizes random sets of phone numbers to appear on the victims caller id. 

Unfortunately, the victim was also asked to verify their identity by giving the scammer  their Social Security Number, which can now be used by the scammers to steal the victim’s identity and open fraudulent accounts.  

Bissett informed listeners that law enforcement will never call a resident and demand payment, nor alert them to a warrant for their arrest. 

If a resident receives a call and the other person on the line asks for any personal information or makes any kind of threat of arrest or fines, hang-up the line and notify the BPD.

Bissett asks that if a Buffalo resident feels they have been a victim of a scam, notify the Buffalo Police Department at 307-684-5581.