A “funeral” rip-off concentrating on buyers in busy areas like retail shops and eating places has prompted warnings from a number of suburban police departments, with victims’ bank cards being charged hundreds of {dollars} whereas attempting to donate to a trigger.
The newest report got here from suburban Glenview, after a resident reported had been at a enterprise within the 1300 block of Patriot Boulevard in The Glen when three individuals approached asking for a donation.
In response to an incident report from Glenview Police, the suspects stated the donation would go in the direction of a funeral for his or her pal, who was killed in Chicago.
The sufferer tried to provide money, police stated, however the suspects refused it. The sufferer then gave them their bank card to cost $10, police stated.
The sufferer later realized their bank card was charged twice for a complete of $4,800, police stated.
“Just lately, scammers have approached buyers exterior a enterprise claiming to gather cash for a funeral,” a rip-off alert warning from Glenview Police stated. “One sufferer gave their bank card after the scammers stated they might not settle for money, solely later to search out it had been charged hundreds of {dollars}.”
Police reminded resident to by no means present bank cards to unknown solicitors, and “by no means give your telephone to them to ‘help’ you with the donation.”
“If you wish to assist, donate on to verified charities or organizations,” police stated. “When is doubt – stroll away and name us.”
The same alert was issued earlier by Frankfort police earlier this summer time.
“We’ve acquired studies about people approaching people in parking tons for donations however here is the catch,” Frankfort Police stated in a June 9 Fb Put up. “They ask to your bank card after which cost excess of what you agreed to donate or use your bank card quantity for added transactions.”
A June information report from Patch detailed one incident that occurred exterior a Jewel-Osco grocery retailer in New Lenox.
Within the report, the same scene unfolded, with a sufferer providing $20 money to solicitors asking for cash for a funeral. The solicitors stated it was unlawful to take money, asking for a bank card transaction as a substitute.
“One of many males informed the sufferer that he wanted to enter a PIN to finish the transaction, and took the lady’s telephone to take action,” Patch reported.
“We love seeing our neighborhood lend a serving to hand, however please be cautious when giving out your bank card info,” the Frankfort police put up stated. “Scammers are getting bolder and extra convincing.”
