If you think you’re getting a call from the police, odds are you’re going to answer it. You might fear the worst, like an accident involving a loved one, but a call about criminal matters can be more anxiety-inducing—even if you haven’t done anything wrong. Unfortunately, a new phone scam is capitalizing on these fears and could put you and your finances at risk. Read on to find out what fraudulent phone call you need to be aware of, and how to know when to hang up.
READ THIS NEXT: If You’re Over 60, the FBI Has a Major New Warning for You.
Legitimate messages from police are worth heeding. Just last week, police in Boston issued a safety warning following an increase in drink spiking at bars. Police asked all patrons to make sure drinks are never left unattended and always cover drinks when heading to the bathroom. The Boston Police Department recommended using different “creative inventions” that keep your drink covered, which are available for purchase on sites like Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy.
But scams run rampant, so you’ll want to be sure any message you get is the real deal. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently issued a public service announcement (PSA) about elder fraud, which targets those over the age of 60 and leads to nearly $3 billion in annual losses. As part of the PSA, William Webster, former director of the FBI,…
