Scams have become a widespread problem across Nassau County, from phone calls demanding money to people showing up at the door posing as a contractor or home repair person. In Oyster Bay, residents have fallen prey to a variety of these scams in recent months, many of which target seniors specifically.
“Some have gotten calls from people saying they are their grandkids and need to have money wired to them,” said Nancy Farinaccio, the program assistant at the Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay.
Other scams involve the caller claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service; according to the Nassau County Police Department, individuals are receiving calls from persons claiming that they or a family member owe money for unpaid taxes. These scammers claim that they are federal employees and tell the victims they can avoid arrest, foreclosure or suspension/termination of services if they make payment.
“The IRS does not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer,” said Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter.
Krumpter said the department has also seen other unrelated scams, such as a lottery sweepstakes and solicitations, such as debt relief.
In the Oyster Bay area, Farinaccio said LEC members have been victims of callers claiming to be from charities and needing money or a bank fishing for information.
“It’s just a shame that they prey on seniors,” said Farinaccio.
Krumpter said he urges citizens to be vigilant when receiving telephone solicitations or emails from anyone identifying themselves as employees of the IRS, or anything else that does not seem right.
