Popular Scam Circulating Through Town Again

A popular scam is circulating around town, and it has even infiltrated the municipal employee e-mail system and the address book of a prominent local business organization.

The Vernon Police Department issued a fresh warning about the scam today.

It involves someone calling or sending an e-mail or Facebook message, said Sgt. Daniel Champagne of the VPD. The "sender" states that a relative or him or herself has been arrested or has been the victim of a crime and needs money.
  
"Several more residents have fallen for this scam, with many victims being elderly,'' Champagne said. "This is a reminder to residents - if somebody calls to claim that a friend or relative has been arrested either by telephone or by computer that you should not send money without verifying everything first."

Champagne suggested that anyone receiving such a message should try contacting the friend or relative or someone who knows that person well or call the police department of the town mentioned in the message.

Champagne said that anyone made aware of a scam using a personal address or e-mail or Facebook should send send or post a message on the Facebook wall stating it is phony.

A recent scam sent to many of the Vernon town employees stated that somebody had lost luggage and needed money to get home, Champagne said.

Another scam has been circulating through the Rockville Downtown Association's e-mail address book.

The message, using the words, "its emergency, help," says:

Hi,
Apologies for having to reach out to you like this, but I made a quick trip to Madrid, Spain and had my bag stolen from me with my passport and credit cards in it. The embassy is willing to help by authorizing me to fly without my passport, I just have to pay for a ticket and settle Hotel bills. Unfortunately, I can't have access to funds without my credit card, I've made contact with my bank but they need more time to come up with a new one. I was thinking of asking you to lend me some quick funds ($5000) that I can give back as soon as I get in. I really need to be on the next available flight. I can forward you details on how you can get money to me. waiting for response. Thanks, Diane

The grammatical error in the subject line can make it seem as if the e-mail was typed in haste. Clicking the reply button would send an e-mail to a Hotmail account that seems to be the usual RDA account.

The e-mail even attached a replica of RDA Chairman William Breslau's business card.

Champagne urged residents not to respond to the e-mails. Most scams will ask for money to be sent through Western Union.

"And once that money is sent through Western Union, it is gone,'' he said.

Champagne said anyone with questions about a possible scam can contact the Vernon Police Department at 860-872-9126 for advice.