CHIEF RON DZIEZGOWSKI
A Letter from Chief Ron Dziezgowski
REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM : How to protect yourself from theft and scams .
The Jefferson Hills Police Department , along with other local police agencies , have seen a significant spike in identity theft , fraud , and scam related calls over the last several years . Criminals and criminal organizations have become more calculating and sophisticated in their efforts by targeting many via phone , email and sometimes in person to accomplish their illegal objectives . In many cases residents are unaware that they have been victimized by these types of scams or cons until it is too late . As the holiday season approaches , the Jefferson Hills Police Department would like to alert our citizens to some of the more common criminal methods being used and signs you might look for to avoid becoming a victim . Identity Theft :
Identity theft is a form of fraud in which someone pretends to be someone else to access funds from financial institutions , credit card companies , or other services , to steal money or other benefits . The person whose identity is used can suffer various consequences if held responsible for the perpetrator ’ s actions . Phishing :
In the field of computer security , phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames , passwords , and credit card information by posing as a trustworthy entity in an email or other electronic format . An example of this fraudulent activity could be receiving an email from someone from your banking institution asking you to call a number or respond to an email to verify personal information . If you receive such an email ignore and delete it . Contact your financial institution directly with a known contact number to avoid being a victim . Contractor Scam :
A person will approach a resident and offer some type of service such as re-paving their driveway at a small fee or very discounted rate . The person may claim that they are doing a project nearby and have an extra amount material to sell to the victim at a “ deal ”. These criminals are not registered as contractors through the State and usually target the elderly . If a deal is usually too good to be true it probably is a scam . Wire Transfer / Gift Card Scam :
The victim is usually contacted by phone by a criminal posing as a relative , who has been arrested by law enforcement and needs money to be bailed out of jail . Although this is a ruse , the criminal uses high-pressure tactics and make the victim believe that their relative needs immediate financial help . The victim unwittingly wires money from their savings or buys gift cards to send to the criminal as instructed . This criminal scheme has cost many thousands of dollars . Tips to Safeguard You and Your Accounts from Being Compromised
1 . Avoid suspicious phone calls or unwanted solicitation . 2 . Protect your account information and numbers . 3 . Report lost or stolen checks or credit cards to the police . 4 . Guard your ATM PIN number . 5 . Carefully review your monthly billing statements for any fraudulent activity .
6 . Check your credit report periodically .
• Equifax — 800-685-1111
• Experian — 888-682-3742
• TransUnion — 800-916-8800 I have also attached a “ Fraud Squad Alert ” flyer , which was provided by the Allegheny County District Attorney ’ s Office , to alert the public of ongoing scams . This flyer has been placed on both the Borough of Jefferson Hills and Jefferson Hills Police Department Facebook page . If you believe you are victim of Identity theft , scam , or fraud notify the JHPD by calling 911 or stop at the police station . You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) at 877-438-4338 or by visiting the FTC ID Theft Site at https :// www . ftc . gov .
I hope you find the material informative but pray that you never need to use these services . The JHPD remains committed to providing a safe community in which to live , through the enforcement of law and preservation of peace , while maintain a cooperative relationship with our residents , faith groups and businesses . On behalf of the Jefferson Hills Police Department , I want to wish all our residents a safe and happy holiday season and thank you for your continued support of our police department and law enforcement in general . We are here to serve you !
God Bless all of you , Sincerely , Chief Ron Dziezgowski est Jefferson Hills BOROUGH OF JEFFERSON HILLS NEWS
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS ❘ WINTER 2021 51