State Attorney General Letitia James is warning of a rising scam targeting seniors, where callers attempt to convince people to convert their savings to gold bars.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Letitia James is warning New Yorkers about a growing scam targeting seniors where criminals persuade victims to convert their savings into gold bars and hand them over to couriers.
The Attorney General said in statement that the scam typically begins with a fake computer pop-up messages warning that the victim’s computer or financial accounts have been compromised. The scammers then gain remote access to the computer and create fabricated evidence of criminal activity before connecting the victim with someone posing as a law enforcement officer or government investigator.
James says that the victims, who are often senior citizens, are then told to withdraw their money and purchase gold bars or coins from legitimate dealers to protect their savings. They are then instructed to keep the transaction secret and avoid discussing it with bank employees or family members. Couriers later collect the gold.
“Targeting older adults with seemingly legitimate claims that their life savings are in immediate danger is flat-out cruel,” Attorney General James said.
“Seniors deserve to live comfortably without fear of losing their hard-earned savings to a manipulative scam. I am urging all New Yorkers to beware of these gold bar scams and report suspicious messages related to this scam to my office.”
The New York City Police Department alone has investigated more than 100 gold bar scam cases over the past two years, with reported losses exceeding $100 million, according to a statement released by the Office of the Attorney General.
There are some things that you can do to avoid being scammed, including:
- Do not call the number provided in the pop-up.
- Never give someone you don’t know remote access to your computer.
- Never move money out of your bank account at the urging of someone over the phone.
- If someone claims there is an issue with your bank account, hang up and contact your financial institution by calling the number on your bank statement instead.
Attorney General James added in a statement that these scams often are effective because they create a fake sense of urgency. One of the best ways to not be scammed is to hang up the phone and call someone that you trust to inform them of the situation.
New York residents who receive suspicious contacts can file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General here.
Click Here For The Original Source.
